Sources tell ESPN that Barcelona’s leaders will meet this week to decide if they need to sign a free agent goalie to replace the injured Marc-André ter Stegen.
Ter Stegen, who is 32 years old, will have surgery on Monday to fix a completely torn patella tendon in his right knee that happened in Sunday’s 5-1 La Liga win at Villarreal.
Sources tell ESPN that the Germany goalie will not be able to play again this season and will likely be out for months.
Iñaki Peña filled in as goalkeeper for Ter Stegen while he was out with a back injury last season. He played 12 times in La Liga.
ESPN has learned that Barça’s coach Hansi Flick, sports director Deco, and other top club officials will get together to talk about what to do without Ter Stegen.
Stick with Peña, get a goalkeeper who isn’t signed with another team to fight with the academy graduate, or wait until the January transfer window opens and change your mind.
Due to Ter Stegen’s long-term injury, LaLiga rules say that Barcelona can sign a free player outside of the transfer window.
The Catalan club is still spending more than the amount allowed by their league, which has now reached over €400 million ($444m) a year. However, they could spend up to 80% of Ter Stegen’s salary on a replacement.
This is a rule that Barcelona has already used this season to sign Iñigo Martínez, Dani Olmo, and Pau Víctor with LaLiga because Ronald Araújo and Andreas Christensen were hurt.
Some goalkeepers who are currently without a club and could sign right away are Keylor Navas, Loris Karius, and Jordi Masip, who used to play for Barcelona.
Peña will stay as the starting goalkeeper until Getafe comes to town on Wednesday. Barcelona wants to make it seven wins in a row to start the new LaLiga season.
Peña, who is 25, has been with the club since 2012 and did well on loan at Galatasaray in Turkey in 2022, earned a spot on the first team as Ter Stegen’s backup the next season.
20-year-old Ander Astralaga is Barcelona’s third-choice goalkeeper, and Diego Kochen, who plays for the US national team, has also been training with the first team on a daily basis.
Kochen, 18, is hurt, though, and won’t be able to play again until after the October international break.