Three options Barcelona are considering for backup goalkeeper spot – report | OneFootball

FC Barcelona are already mapping out their strategy for the summer transfer window, with two key areas identified as priorities – centre-forward and left-sided centre-back.

However, at the same time, the Catalans’ sporting department, led by director Deco, are open to making further improvements to the squad in other positions.

A new backup goalkeeper could arrive

In that regard, The Athletic reports that Barcelona could also decide to reinforce the goalkeeping department in the summer with a new No. 2.

Joan Garcia will continue as the undisputed starter between the sticks for the Blaugrana after making a big impact since his arrival last summer.

Barcelona are also happy with the current backup goalkeeper, Wojciech Szczesny, who still has a year left on his contract.

However, the feeling within the club is that relying on the 35-year-old Pole, in case Garcia is unavailable for an extended period, might be unsustainable.

Three options being considered

Inaki Pena is on loan at Elche. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

As such, the possibility of bringing in a new goalkeeper as backup is not ruled out, with Barcelona considering three options.

The first option, as per the report, happens to be Real Sociedad veteran Alex Remiro. The Spanish international is well-liked within the Catalans’ sporting department, with Deco already holding a meeting with his agent to discuss the feasibility of a move.

The alternative would be to reintegrate Inaki Pena into the first-team setup. The La Masia graduate is currently on loan at Elche, having left in the summer in search of regular game-time.

However, the Spaniard has been unable to establish himself as a regular at Elche either. As such, there are some doubts about bringing him back, even more so given his past clash with Hansi Flick.

Finally, the final option that Barcelona could consider is promoting in-house talent, Diego Kochen. Currently the starting goalkeeper for Barça Atletic, the American shot-stopper is rated highly at the club and has been training regularly with the first team.

What is clear is that Marc-Andre ter Stegen will not have a place in the squad and Barcelona will look to offload him in the summer.