PSG will reportedly pursue a deal for 26-year-old Barcelona goalkeeper Inaki Pena if Gianluigi Donnarumma departs from Parc des Princes in the summer transfer window.
According to a report by Spanish outlet Fichajes, Inaki Pena is the subject of interest from Paris Saint-Germain. The Ligue 1 champions are scouring the market for a goalkeeper heading into the summer transfer window amid uncertainties surrounding Gianluigi Donnarumma’s long-term future. So, Barcelona’s deputy shot-stopper has emerged as a target for Les Parisiens.
Inaki Pena and his Barcelona bother
Inaki Pena has had to bide his time since breaking into the first-team squad at FC Barcelona. A native of Alicante, the Spaniard spent his formative years in his homeland, starting his youth career at his hometown club, Alicante CF, before spending a few seasons with Villarreal. However, he graduated from the fabled La Masia academy after joining Barcelona in 2012.
The 26-year-old has risen through the ranks in his dozen years with Barcelona. However, regular game time with the first team has eluded Pena, even in a campaign that has seen Marc-Andre ter Stegen spend months on the sidelines. While the academy graduate initially became the first-choice stopper, Wojciech Szczesny has usurped him in the pecking order.
The Spanish goalkeeper has turned out nearly 50 times thus far for Barcelona while keeping ten clean sheets and conceding 64 goals. Meanwhile, Pena faces an uncertain future at the Catalan club after entering the final 18 months of his contract. The situation has piqued the attention of several well-known clubs across Europe, including Paris Saint-Germain.
Ligue 1 adventure awaits?
Recent reports have linked Inaki Pena with Girona. However, PSG will aim to beat the competition to the Barcelona goalkeeper’s signature in the summer transfer window if Gianluigi Donnarumma calls time on his stint at Parc des Princes.
So, PSG’s long-term interest in Pena might materialise amid uncertainties surrounding the Italian international’s future at the Ligue 1 club. The opportunity to join Les Parisiens should appeal to the 26-year-old Spaniard, especially if they offer Barcelona’s deputy shot-stopper the first-choice berth.
However, PSG might not be the only well-known club pursuing Pena’s signature, with AS claiming Galatasaray will also line up a move in the summer transfer window. So, it will be interesting to see where the Spanish goalkeeper lands if he leaves Barcelona in the summer transfer window.