Iñaki Peña's future at Barça appears to have reached a point of no return. The goalkeeper has already said goodbye to the locker room and won't be available for the next match against Levante. Hansi Flick has been firm in his decision and doesn't wish to keep working with players who won't have a leading role.
The situation has accelerated with the arrival of Joan García and the imminent registration of Szczęsny. The club understands that the goal is more than covered and that keeping Iñaki Peña is something to consider. With this in mind, the board has sped up negotiations to arrange his departure as soon as possible.
The goal is closed for Iñaki Peña
Hansi Flick values competition in all positions, but in goal he wants clear hierarchy. Szczęsny is set to be the undisputed starter, while Joan García will serve as backup. In this scenario, Iñaki Peña is left out of Barça's immediate plans.
The German coach has communicated to the sporting management his preference to work only with those who are committed to the project. That philosophy has led to the exclusion of players with little prospect of playing time. For Peña, this means the end of his time at the club that developed him.
A more difficult departure than desired
Although the sporting decision has been made, the sale won't be easy. Iñaki Peña wants to stay in Spain and his priority is to find a club in La Liga where he can be the starter. That condition considerably reduces the options and complicates the operation.
Some teams had inquired about his situation, but the concrete offers from abroad don't convince the goalkeeper. His intention is to keep his visibility in the Spanish league. However, in the domestic market, few clubs are willing to guarantee him the starting spot.
Barça, trapped between the market and the player's wish
Barça needs to free up space and reduce the wage bill as soon as possible. The idea is to finalize his departure in the coming days to settle the squad in goal. The problem is that the player's wishes clash with the board's need to sell quickly.
Hansi Flick has made it clear that he won't call him up anymore, which adds pressure to the situation. With no minutes at Barça and no clear destination in La Liga, Peña risks being left in a competitive limbo. The goalkeeper must decide whether to accept a move abroad or wait for an opening in Spanish soccer.