In a major setback for FC Barcelona, Marc-André ter Stegen suffered a serious knee injury during Sunday’s match against Villarreal, which is expected to keep him sidelined for seven to eight months. This situation has left the club’s sporting management with no choice but to act swiftly to mitigate the impact of his absence.
Head coach Hansi Flick and Sporting Director Deco have already discussed the matter, first immediately after the team’s return from Villarreal last night and again this morning during the squad’s training session.
As per Marca, both are reportedly in favor of signing a new goalkeeper, agreeing that it would be unwise to rely solely on Inaki Pena and Ander Astralaga for the rest of the season, especially with young talent Diego Kochen also out for a month due to injury.
While a replacement is needed, the profile of the incoming goalkeeper remains undecided. The club is considering two options: either bringing in a more established and experienced shot-stopper or pursuing a former Barcelona player who is currently without a club and familiar with the team’s system. Flick and Deco are set to meet again tomorrow to further evaluate their options.
Although there is an urgency to sign a new goalkeeper immediately, Barcelona might also consider waiting until the winter transfer window to finalize the reinforcement. The club could take advantage of the flexibility provided by Ter Stegen’s absence, which, according to Article 77, allows Barcelona to reinvest 80% of the German’s salary in acquiring a suitable replacement.
A crucial aspect of this decision also revolves around the future of Inaki Peña. With his contract running until 2026, signing a goalkeeper who could potentially push him down the pecking order might send a negative signal.
The club had planned to discuss a contract renewal this season, but bringing in a high-profile reinforcement could indicate that Pena may not have a long-term future at the club, leading to possible uncertainty over his future.
As the situation unfolds, Barcelona’s management will need to balance the immediate needs of the squad with the long-term vision for the club’s goalkeeping department.
