After an exceptional season in which they won the domestic treble (La Liga, Copa del Rey, and Spanish Super Cup), Barcelona is confidently moving forward to strengthen its technical and financial project in preparation for a new season, aiming to regain its prestige on the European stage.
As part of its efforts to reinforce the squad and secure financial resources for future signings, the club’s management has begun considering offers to sell some of the prominent first-team players.
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According to the Spanish newspaper El Nacional, Barcelona concluded the 2023-24 season with a decisive 3-0 victory over Athletic Bilbao at San Mamés. While the match had no impact on the league standings, it held great symbolic significance. The team said farewell to several key players, most notably goalkeeper Iñaki Peña.
Peña started the match as the first-choice goalkeeper in what would be his final appearance for Barcelona, after Hansi Flick decided not to rely on him for the upcoming season. The club informed Peña that he must seek a new team during the summer transfer window. Following a comprehensive evaluation, the German coach believes the goalkeeping position requires stronger competition, and Peña is not part of his plans.
The 2024/25 season began with high expectations for Peña, especially due to Marc-André ter Stegen’s injury at the season’s start. This gave Peña the opportunity to be the starting goalkeeper for approximately three months, during which he performed well in both La Liga and the Champions League despite occasional errors. However, his role diminished with the arrival of Wojciech Szczęsny, who quickly secured a starting spot. Consequently, Peña’s involvement faded despite initially being the second-choice keeper.
This decision strained Peña’s relationship with Flick, as Peña felt underappreciated, although the decision was purely technical. With Ter Stegen’s return and Szczęsny’s continued presence, Peña’s chances at Camp Nou grew slim, especially with the possible signing of young Espanyol goalkeeper Juan García, seen as a promising future option. This would push Peña to third-choice status, which is unacceptable to him.
With a contract running until 2026, Barcelona is expected to facilitate his departure, as several teams both inside and outside La Liga have expressed interest, considering his potential for further development and experience.
The San Mamés match served as a quiet farewell for Peña, without official celebrations or announcements, confirming the end of his journey with Barcelona. The goalkeeper, who grew up in La Masia and fulfilled his dream of guarding the first team’s goal, leaves with titles and the respect of his teammates, though he feels he could have achieved more had he been given greater opportunities.
Meanwhile, Barcelona continues to reshape its project under Flick, with goalkeeping remaining a top priority for the upcoming season.
