Former Juventus Goalkeeper Becomes Target To Replace Ter Stegen, Here's Barcelona's Second Goalkeeper Response

Goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen injured, Barcelona looking for a new goalkeeper. (X/@FCBarcelona)

JAKARTA - Barcelona will not rely on Inaki Pena's second goalkeeper to replace Marc-Andre ter Stegen who suffered a knee injury. Barca is looking for a new goalkeeper, one of whom is the former Juventus, to compete with Pena. Pena's response?

Ter Stegen was forced to end the competition early after suffering a knee injury when Barca won 5-1 over Villarreal in a Spanish La Liga match last weekend. The German national team goalkeeper's injury was severe so he had to undergo surgery.

This is what makes Ter Stegen pull over to restore his condition in a long time and he is even predicted to be absent until the end of the season.

However, Barca will not rely on Pena to take over Ten Stegen. Previously, Pena, who was always the goalkeeper when Ter Stegen was absent. Including when Ter Stegen was unable to appear for several months due to a back injury. Pena, who fully replaces Barca's first goalkeeper.

However, this time coach Hansi Flick chose to find a new goalkeeper who is expected to compete with Pena. Barca's sporting director, Deco, agreed with Flick to find a replacement for Ter Stegen with a contract until the end of the season. The condition is none other than having to be an experienced goalkeeper.

The club chose to look for a new goalkeeper because it could take advantage of 80% of the unpaid salary if the player was in a long injury. With Ter Stegen's salary of 7 million euros or about 118 billion rupiahs each year, 80% remains large enough for the new goalkeeper's salary.

Barca has also targeted a number of goalkeepers. Former Juventus goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny, according to Football Espana, is one of the targets to replace Ter Stegen. The 34-year-old goalkeeper has been released by Juve after his contract is complete. Instead of looking for a new club, the former Arsenal goalkeeper chose to hang up his gloves instead.

Szczesny has defended Juve since 2017. He won various trophies with the Bianconeri. Last season, the Polish national team goalkeeper was only absent from three Italian Serie A matches.

Previously, Szczesny played at Arsenal from 2009 to 2017. Only, he then had a fight with Arsene Wenger's manager which forced Szczesny to leave the Gunners. He was initially loaned to AS Roma before being permanent for Juve.

Barca have actually been in contact with Szczesny. However, the talks between them were too early even though Szczesny expressed interest in joining the Blaugrana until the end of the season.

Barca seems to be looking not only for an experienced goalkeeper, but also the best. Other goalkeepers on the radar include Claudio Bravo and Keylor Navas who also no longer have a club.

If Navas had played in Madrid, on the other hand, Bravo had time to compete with Ter Stegen at Barca. From Barca, Bravo then moved to Manchester City and finally defended Real Betis.

The next goalkeepers who became alternatives were Edgar Badia and Jordi Masip. In addition, Las Palmas goalkeeper Alvaro Valles is said to be the next candidate to compete with Pena.

However, Barca's plan to bring in a new goalkeeper made Pena disappointed. The reason is, he feels that he has not won the trust of the club to become the main goalkeeper.

Pena is negotiating a contract extension with Barca. The club has made an offer to the 25-year-old goalkeeper for a contract until 2026. However, with the club's plan to find a new goalkeeper, Pena is considering leaving Barca.