FC Barcelona is clear about its plan for the goalkeeping position in the coming years. The board is completely calm, and for now, the starting position still has an owner: Marc-André Ter Stegen.
The German is in the middle of his recovery process, and everything indicates that he will be in top form for the next season. His recovery has been faster than desired, and the coaching staff trusts that he will return to his best level.
Szczesny will remain as substitute: Iñaki Peña is doomed
For the next season, Barça has also secured its second option for the goalkeeping position. Wojciech Szczesny, current goalkeeper of Juventus, has convinced the club and Flick with his performance.
The Pole has proven to be reliable between the posts, and his renewal for one more season is already underway. His agent, Joshua Barnett, has made it clear that "there will be no problem" in closing the deal.
The other side of the coin is Iñaki Peña, whose situation is completely different. The youth player is not in Flick's plans, and everything points to him leaving next transfer market. His contract ends in 2026, but the club doesn't count on him and is already looking for an exit.
With Ter Stegen and Szczesny, Barça has the goalkeeping position secured in the short term. However, they are already working on signing a new goalkeeper for the future.
Barça's main goal for 2026
According to Sport, Barça has a name on its list to strengthen the goalkeeping position starting in 2026: Bart Verbruggen.
The young 22-year-old goalkeeper is shining at Brighton and has caught the attention of Europe's top clubs. Additionally, he is a regular in the Netherlands national team drafts, which has allowed Barça to closely follow him in international tournaments.
Verbruggen became a protagonist in the UEFA Nations League quarter-finals. He saved a penalty from Lamine Yamal in the match between Spain and the Netherlands. A moment that was etched in the young winger's memory and could be repeated in training if the Dutchman joins Barça.
The end of the Ter Stegen era?
Although Barça still trusts Ter Stegen, the signing of Verbruggen could mean a generational change in the goalkeeping position. The club's idea is to have the Dutchman as an alternative in the coming years. If his performance is as desired, he could end up taking the position from the German.
The future of the blaugrana goalkeeping is underway. For now, Ter Stegen will remain the owner of the goal, but Verbruggen's shadow is starting to grow.