Barcelona continue summer sales with Inaki Pena exit deal agreed | OneFootball

Barcelona goalkeeper Inaki Pena is set to join Panathinaikos once the transfer window opens.

According to Spanish news outlet SPORT, Barcelona have agreed a deal with the Greek side and the move is expected to be finalised in the coming days.

He still has to undergo a medical examination, but it should be a formality. After that, Pena is expected to sign a three-year contract with Panathinaikos, with the option of an additional year.

The deal will also bring Barcelona a fee of around €3 million, handing the club a modest but useful financial boost as they continue their summer clear-out.

The move will end Pena’s 14-year association with Barcelona. His departure will help the Blaugranas to reduce congestion in the goalkeeping department.

Barcelona have an unusually large number of players competing for the same position, and changes have become necessary to balance the squad.

Pena’s exit will free up space for Barcelona to bring in a couple of fresh recruits. But they still have work to do, particularly with Marc-Andre ter Stegen and Wojciech Szczesny still on their books.

Moving to Panathinaikos will give Pena a chance for a fresh start. More importantly, the Greek side can offer him regular first-team football after his exile from the Barcelona squad.

The 27-year-old came up through Barcelona’s youth academy and has spent the better part of the last decade in and around the first team squad.

He never really established himself as the club’s first-team goalkeeper, and that responsibility now falls on Joan Garcia.

Pena spent last season on loan at Elche, keeping four clean sheets in 16 games to help them avoid relegation by the skin of their teeth.

After Pena’s departure, Barcelona will focus on strengthening the squad even further, having already brought in Anthony Gordon from Newcastle United.

They’re also targeting a striker, with Julian Alvarez the club’s priority.