Barcelona’s management, under the guidance of Hansi Flick, has made a definitive decision regarding one of the club’s most talented young players, Iñaki Peña, ending the uncertainty about his future. Despite being under contract, Flick has decided that Peña is not part of his plans for the upcoming season, signaling a significant shift at Camp Nou. This decision paves the way for Peña’s likely departure during the summer transfer window.
Reports from the Spanish outlet El Nacional confirm that Peña’s future at Barcelona has been fully decided. The German coach has communicated internally that the Spanish goalkeeper will not be in his plans moving forward, meaning his exit is expected to be one of the club’s first moves in the summer transfer market.
Although Peña remains contracted with Barcelona, he has already begun seeking a new club where he can secure regular playing time, something he has struggled to find in recent seasons.
Many believe that Peña’s last match for Barcelona was the recent encounter against Villarreal at the Estadio Olímpico Lluís Companys, though Flick has yet to make an official statement on the matter. Peña’s time at Barcelona has been characterized by inconsistency in the goalkeeping role.
He initially filled in as the starting goalkeeper when Marc-André ter Stegen was injured, delivering solid performances in crucial matches. However, the situation changed dramatically with the arrival of Wojciech Szczęsny, with Flick opting to rely on the Polish goalkeeper’s experience during critical moments of the season. As a result, Peña was relegated to the bench.
With Ter Stegen now back in the starting lineup, Peña finds himself as the third-choice goalkeeper—a situation that is far from ideal for a 25-year-old player seeking to establish himself and advance his career.
In an indication that he has been planning his exit, Peña changed agents about a month ago, joining AC Talent, an agency that also represents several key Barcelona players. This move suggests that Peña has already started to seek a fresh opportunity to develop his career.
Barcelona has praised Peña for his professionalism and is willing to facilitate his departure. The club is open to either a loan move with a purchase option or a permanent transfer. Peña himself hopes to leave on good terms and find a club where he can play regularly and continue to progress, something that seems unlikely under Flick’s leadership.
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