Celta Vigo set sights on 26-year-old Barcelona player to replace Vicente Guaita – Report | OneFootball

FC Barcelona may not need a major overhaul this summer, with the core of Hansi Flick’s squad firmly in place. However, a few departures seem inevitable, and among those likely to leave is 26-year-old goalkeeper Inaki Pena. Once viewed as the heir to Marc-Andre ter Stegen, the La Masia graduate now appears to be heading for the exit door.

The Spaniard has been the trusted deputy to Ter Stegen for a few seasons now, and he got his chance to play for the first team when the German international suffered a serious injury that was set to keep him out for almost the rest of the season.

Pena’s rise and sudden fall

Pena came in and showed massive improvement with every passing game. He had many top-quality displays, including the first El Clasico at the Santiago Bernabeu and was Hansi Flick’s first-choice until the Spanish Super Cup in January.

Inaki Pena had a very good first half of the season under Hansi Flick. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

However, the Spaniard lost his place in the starting line-up after arriving late to an activation session just before the semi-final against Athletic Bilbao and Flick gave Wojciech Szczesny a chance. The Polish veteran hasn’t looked back ever since.

Vigo come calling

Now, with his future at the club almost surely over, as per Mundo Deportivo, Celta Vigo have identified Inaki Pena as the ideal candidate to replace Vicente Guaita, who is aiming for a return to Valencia, where he played previously.

Pena has shown enough quality during his opportunities with Barcelona to warrant interest from elsewhere, at least in La Liga. At 26, he is also at an age where he needs to be the number one shot-stopper at a club and Vigo fits the bill.

Very good with the ball at his feet – Inaki Pena. (Source: DataMB)

The La Masia graduate is very much a modern-day shot-stopper. He is very good with the ball at his feet, has the vision to pick out passes, and is not afraid to venture outside his area to sweep up long-balls behind the backline.

Inaki Pena’s time at Barcelona may not have ended as he once envisioned, but his brief stint as the club’s number one showed promise and poise. At 26, he’s entering the prime of his career and deserves a platform where he can be the undisputed starter.

A move to Celta Vigo could offer just that, a fresh start at a club where his modern style and composure on the ball would be welcomed. While his journey in Blaugrana may be closing, a new chapter is just beginning.