Barcelona are expected to stay busy in the transfer market over the next few weeks as they aim to balance their squad and finances before the summer window closes in September. Having already secured some signings and with others still in progress, the focus is now shifting to player departures. One name likely to leave is goalkeeper Iñaki Peña, who has slipped far down the pecking order at the club.
At the moment, Peña is ranked fourth among the goalkeepers at Barcelona, sitting behind recent arrival Joan Garcia, veteran Wojciech Szczesny, and long-time number one Marc-André ter Stegen. Although Ter Stegen is still recovering from injury and both Garcia and Szczesny are awaiting official La Liga registration, Peña is currently the only first-team keeper eligible to play. This temporary status is holding up his exit, but it’s generally understood that he will depart once registration issues are resolved and Ter Stegen is back to full fitness.
With less than a year left on his contract, Barcelona are eager to avoid losing Peña on a free next summer. Discussions with the player have reportedly gone well, and he is said to be on board with the idea of moving on for the sake of his career. The club is now looking to secure a transfer fee that could either be reinvested or used to support player registrations.
Though Peña had previously been linked with a possible move to Celta Vigo, new reports suggest he could head abroad instead. Serie A side Como, recently promoted to Italy’s top division, have emerged as frontrunners to sign the 25-year-old. Como, underpinned by significant financial backing, have been active in the transfer market as they look to build a competitive team. A major influence behind their interest is head coach Cesc Fàbregas, who shares a connection with Peña from their days at Barcelona.
Fàbregas is said to have endorsed the move, viewing Peña as a strong option to contend for the starting spot. Como are reportedly willing to meet Barcelona’s asking price, which is expected to be “modest but fair,” considering the player’s contract status and role within the squad.
From both sides, the deal makes sense. For Barcelona, it would generate a fee for a player not central to their plans and create space for the registration of new signings Garcia and Szczesny, as well as ease the wage burden. For Peña, the transfer could open the door to a starting role in a top European league, involvement in an ambitious project, and the chance to work with a coach who knows his strengths.
The timing of Peña’s exit hinges on how quickly Barcelona can sort out their current registration challenges and ensure they have enough cover in goal. Once those hurdles are cleared, he’s expected to leave. Although the final destination isn’t confirmed, Como appears to be leading the race, especially with Fàbregas actively backing the move.
As Barcelona aim to conclude their summer transfer activity, offloading players like Peña will be vital to maintaining financial stability while still pursuing success on the pitch.