Former Barcelona assistant coach trying to convince La Masia graduate to join La Liga club | OneFootball

As the transfer window enters its final week, closing on Monday, 1 September, FC Barcelona still have work to do. The main priorities are finding exits for Inaki Pena, Oriol Romeu, and Hector Fort.

As far as Oriol Romeu is concerned, talks are ongoing over terminating the final year of his contract. Girona are among the interested clubs, and their poor start to La Liga may push them to attempt to bring back the midfielder.

For Hector Fort, meanwhile, a loan move is looking like the only viable solution. The Premier League has shown interest, and West Ham United have already enquired about him.

What about Inaki Pena?

According to SPORT, Inaki Pena’s situation is proving more complicated. Several La Liga clubs have been linked with the goalkeeper, with Celta Vigo initially showing strong interest before stepping back.

However, now, the club most determined to secure him are Elche, managed by Eder Sarabia, formerly assistant coach at Barcelona during Quique Setien’s tenure.

Eder Sarabia wants Pena at Elche. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)

Sarabia is using recent performances as his main argument to attract the La Masia graduate on loan, following a contract extension with Barcelona.

“What the team is showing makes us attractive for important players to come,” he said after Elche’s valuable draw against Atletico Madrid.

For Pena, joining Elche would mean returning home. However, from Barcelona’s perspective, the deal makes little financial sense.

After all, the newly-promoted La Liga club cannot afford to cover his significant salary, not even partially.

As such, the final decision rests with Pena. So far this season, the 26-year-old has been included in both of Barcelona’s matchday squads, against Mallorca and Levante, wearing the No. 1 shirt.

If he does not leave, Barcelona would likely be unable to register Wojciech Szczesny, a significant setback given that the Polish goalkeeper has been renewed for two more seasons.

With Marc-Andre ter Stegen out long-term, Barcelona’s plan is for Joan Garcia to be the first choice, Szczesny as his back-up, and Diego Kochen from the reserves as the third option.

That plan, however, depends largely on Pena’s departure, with Eder Sarabia and Elche trying hard to get him on loan.