Barcelona add fifth goalkeeper to shortlist for long-term Marc-Andre ter Stegen replacement | OneFootball

Barcelona will have some decisions to make this summer about the goalkeeping position, with three first-team options currently on their books. After an injury to Marc-Andre ter Stegen, the idea of bringing in a long-term replacement was floated, while it also looks as if they may try to hold onto Wojciech Szczesny beyond the one-year deal he penned.

Manager Hansi Flick has reportedly communicated that he wants Szczesny alongside ter Stegen next season as his two senior goalkeepers, and that is in line with what Barcelona want for next season. The odd man out is Inaki Pena. Despite his strong form after ter Stegen’s injury,  it appears he has not convinced Flick, and he is expected to leave in the summer. Out of contract in 2026, contract talks between Pena and Barcelona were halted in January.

Image via Urbanandsport/NurPhoto / Getty Images

That said, it has not stopped Barcelona thinking about the future. Szczesny, at the age of 35, is not a long-term option, while ter Stegen will turn 33 in April. The German shot-stopper is also coming off his third operation in four years, and has been questioned before this injury. If Pena does leave and Szczesny does not renew, then Barcelona will look to bring in a young goalkeeper in the summer. La Masia product Diego Kochen is considered too green, but it will also depend on the financial situation at the club.

Recent reports have claimed that Espanyol goalkeeper Joan Garcia is well liked by the goalkeeping department at Barcelona. MD say he is now part of a shortlist that also includes Porto’s Diogo Costa, Las Palmas’ Alvaro Valles (set to be a free agent this summer), Bart Verbruggen at Brighton and Hove Albion, and Werder Bremen’s Mio Backhaus.

The issue with Garcia could be the competition. Arsenal bid €20m for Garcia last summer, and are expected to seal the deal for the Olympic gold medallist this year. His release clause is €25m, but increases to €30m in the final 15 days of the transfer window, and by a further €5m if he is capped for Spain, something that could happen in March.