FC Barcelona would have to address the futures of more than one goalkeeper on their payroll this summer. The most prominent of these is the German goalie Marc-Andre ter Stegen, who is once again at the disposal of the Blaugrana club following the end of his loan with Girona.
Meanwhile, another shot-stopper who returns to the Catalan club this summer is Inaki Pena, who spent the last season on loan at Elche. However, his situation is different from the German’s, as while the latter is looking ahead to the preseason with Barcelona, [the former wants his departure to materialize as soon as possible](https://barcanewsnetwork.com/barcelona-star-will-depart-for-free-as-two-clubs-battle-for-signature/).
In fact, [SPORT](https://www.sport.es/es/noticias/barca/inaki-pena-paso-panathinaikos-131594388) reports that he is already very close to joining his new club, which is the Greek powerhouse Panathinaikos. The Spanish outlet cites the journalist Juli Claramunt to claim that the operation, which will see the goalkeeper leave Barcelona for good, is very advanced.
This departure would bring in a sum of €3 million to the Blaugrana club’s coffers, an amount that satisfied both the involved clubs. The Greek side’s preseason is set to begin in a week, and thus Pena would be travelling to his new club in the next few days.
With this move, the goalkeeper would put an end to the almost 14 years he has spent being associated with the Catalan club. He joined La Masia back in 2012 from Villarreal, and despite never having been an established starter with the first team, leaves without any complain about his commitment or professionalism.
Hopefully, he will enjoy more prominence and success as Inaki Pena embarks on a new professional adventure with one of the historic clubs in Europe. Meanwhile, it remains to be seen how the future of the other Barcelona goalkeeper who is not in Hansi Flick’s plans, Marc-Andre ter Stegen, would be resolved in the upcoming summer transfer window.