For the second consecutive summer, FC Barcelona has faced an overbooking issue in the goalkeeper position. Apart from mainstays Marc-André ter Stegen and Gianluigi Szczęsny, players such as Iñaki Peña, Ander Astralaga, and young goalkeepers Yaakobishvili return from loans, forcing the club management to accelerate transfer operations to alleviate the situation.
The first to depart this summer was Iñaki Peña. The goalkeeper, who spent last season on loan at Elche CF, was permanently transferred to Panathinaikos for approximately €3,000,000. This operation marks the end of Peña's stint at Barcelona, where he was not established as the first-choice goalkeeper.
Ander Astralaga, who played on loan at Granada last season, ended his contract on June 30, 2026. Barcelona officially confirmed it will not renew his deal, further reducing the number of contracted goalkeepers ahead of the new campaign.
The most complex case remains that of ter Stegen. Despite having a contract, his exit is challenging because head coach Hansi Flick trusts Joan García as the first-choice keeper, with Szczęsny as backup. Recently, Ajax intensified their interest in ter Stegen and consider him a priority reinforcement for their goalkeeper position. The Dutch club has assessed both the economic viability and the physical condition of the goalkeeper and is considering a loan deal.
The club is also evaluating options for Áron Yaakobishvili, a young Hungarian keeper returning from a loan spell at Andorra, who has a contract until 2028.
Barcelona is working to simplify the goalkeeper roster ahead of pre-season training starting in just over two weeks. Meanwhile, the club monitors promising talents Diego Kochen and Eder Aller from Barça Atlètic, intending to provide Kochen with a loan to gain experience.
Financially, the transfer of Peña for approximately €3 million supports compliance with La Liga's income-to-expenditure regulations and helps reduce the wage bill in a crowded position.
