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Neither Iñaki Peña nor Szczęsny: The Top Goalkeeper to Replace Ter Stegen

Deco and Jorge Mendes negotiate for the arrival of a young goalkeeper who could risk Ter Stegen's starting position

Wojciech Szczęsny arrived as a stopgap to provide experience and cover Iñaki Peña's back in Ter Stegen's absence. But he's just passing through. Barça is no longer looking for a substitute, but rather a goalkeeper who can bench Ter Stegen.

The German goalkeeper will return to normal activity at the start of the next season, after summer 2025. By then, Wojciech Szczęsny will no longer be in the squad. Iñaki Peña will probably not be there either, unless his end of the season is spectacular.

Ter Stegen will no longer be untouchable at Barça next season | Getty Images

Barça is No Longer Looking for a Replacement for Ter Stegen

Barça is no longer looking for substitutes for Ter Stegen. Deco is involved in the task of bringing to Camp Nou a goalkeeper capable of challenging the German goalkeeper for a starting spot.

Ter Stegen will start the next season at 33 years old. Goalkeepers usually have a longer career than outfield players. However, Deco wants to cover his back with a younger, top-level goalkeeper, with years ahead of him.

In the last few hours, the name of Lucas Chevalier, the 22-year-old Lille goalkeeper, has been leaked. However, that's not the profile that Barça is looking for.

The chosen one is Diogo Costa, 25, Porto's goalkeeper and a regular for the Portuguese national team. His affairs are handled by Jorge Mendes, which means that mutualunderstanding will be easy between the parties.

A Profitable Business for Jorge Mendes

Porto will have to be convinced to lower uts demands. That's what Jorge Mendes is there for, to offer Porto Barça players who might interest them and at the same time reduce the goalkeeper's price.

Joan Laporta has assured Deco that he'll be able to play an active role in the transfer market this summer. Money from Nike and the new development of Camp Nou will come into the club. Deco will try to get Costa for less than 40 million.

The rest will be in the form of a barter. Porto could see players such as Ansu Fati, Ferran Torres, Pablo Torre or Pau Víctor.

The operation is a sweet treat for Jorge Mendes. He would be paid to bring Diogo Costa and to get the players who are finally included in the operation out of Barça.

A soccer goalkeeper makes a spectacular save in the air to stop the ball in front of the goal.
Diogo Costa is the alternative to Ter Stegen that Deco is looking for | Getty Images

He Could have been a Barça player for 12 Million in 2022

It would also be an opportunity for Deco to make a top-level transfer reminiscent of the arrival of Vitor Bahía in 1996. Although his performance wasn't what was expected from a goalkeeper who cost 1 billion pesetas.

Diogo Costa has a contract with Porto until 2027, so negotiations will have to be held with the Portuguese club.

At the time, Radio Barcelona reported that Jorge Mendes offered Diogo Costa to Barcelona in 2022. At the time, no one paid attention to him, despite the fact that the operation was valued at 12 million euros.

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