Barcelona’s plan for homegrown star out on loan amid uncertainty over veteran duo – report | OneFootball

Inaki Pena was one of the Barcelona players who left the club in the summer in search of more first-team opportunities elsewhere.

The goalkeeper signed a late renewal before eventually joining Elche in a season-long loan deal. His departure played a key role in helping Barcelona register Wojciech Szczesny, the club’s second-choice goalkeeper.

The Catalans, throughout the summer, were very clear that they would sell Pena if a suitable offer came through. But the goalkeeper never really managed to gain a suitor willing to pay him the big bucks. As a result, the club had to settle for a loan deal.

Barcelona haven’t given up on Pena

However, Pena’s loan deal doesn’t mean that Barcelona have completely given up on the Spaniard.

According to MARCA, Barcelona are well aware of the uncertainty surrounding the future of two of their goalkeepers, Marc-Andre ter Stegen and Szczesny.

Ter Stegen has already fallen out of favour with the board and is unlikely to return to the fold, even when he recovers. An exit, therefore, could be a likely solution.

What does the future hold for Inaki Pena? (Photo by Judit Cartiel/Getty Images)

As for Szczesny, Barcelona had to do a lot of convincing to make the Pole continue for another season at the club.

Once the season ends, it is likely that Szczesny may retire again, which leaves Barcelona with no real backup for the main goalkeeper, Joan Garcia.

That is where Inaki Pena comes into the fray. The goalkeeper’s loan deal at Elche means the player will have an opportunity to play more often and potentially impress in La Liga, which in turn could skyrocket his price and demand.

But even in the case the loan move doesn’t work out, Barcelona will always have an option when it comes to finding a backup for Garcia, providing Pena himself is willing to serve second fiddle to the former Espanyol starlet.