Barcelona initiate talks with veteran La Liga goalkeeper for 2026 move | OneFootball

Barcelona’s evolving strategy to reshape their goalkeeping department has taken a fresh twist.

According to a new report from SPORT, the Catalan giants are laying the groundwork to sign Real Sociedad goalkeeper Alex Remiro in 2026, when his release clause will drop significantly from its current €70 million value.

The interest is so severe that initial talks between the parties have already taken place.

While Joan Garcia remains the immediate and preferred long-term heir to Marc-Andre ter Stegen, the club is also thinking beyond the short-term extension of Wojciech Szczesny.

The Polish goalkeeper has agreed to stay on for one more season, but with his contract only running until 2026 (at best), Barça are exploring the next layer of succession in goal.

A change in plan

Barcelona’s initial goalkeeping roadmap, put together by sporting director Deco, was designed to be gradual. However, the unexpected need for rapid decisions has disrupted that approach.

Whether due to Ter Stegen’s uncertain future or an accelerating transfer market, the club now finds itself forced to rethink timelines and personnel choices.

Alex Remiro is back on Barcelona’s radar. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

Even Hansi Flick has been vocal about the value of listening to seasoned staff and Jose Ramon de la Fuente, the long-time goalkeeping coach’s endorsement of Remiro signals that this interest is very serious.

Why Remiro?

Remiro brings with him plenty of La Liga experience and consistency. Now 30, he is at the ideal age for a goalkeeper and has been a key figure for Real Sociedad over multiple seasons.

While his current release clause is prohibitively high, it will be significantly reduced in 2026, a key detail that Barcelona are clearly watching closely.

The club believes that pairing an experienced, proven goalkeeper like Remiro with a younger option would offer balance and security as they prepare for life after both Ter Stegen and Szczesny.

Adding urgency to the matter is external interest. Reports of Premier League side Aston Villa keeping tabs on Remiro have reached Barcelona’s offices, prompting Deco to fast-track early conversations.

While nothing has been finalised, the fact that contact has gone beyond mere scouting suggests Barça are keen to get ahead of the competition before Remiro’s value on the market rises again.