A La Liga club has abruptly halted its chase for a Barcelona star, complicating the Blaugrana’s transfer plans.
With the transfer window nearing its close, the Blaugrana are under pressure to resolve the situation to register new signings and alleviate their salary cap issues.
The decision by the interested club has complicated matters, leaving Barcelona to explore alternative options to offload their player before the deadline.
The player in question is Iñaki Peña, a 26-year-old goalkeeper who has struggled to secure a regular role at Barcelona.
According to Diario Sport, Celta Vigo, initially seen as a potential destination, has cooled its interest due to its own wage bill constraints.
The Galician club would need to offload one of their reserve goalkeepers, Marc Vidal or Ivan Cuellar, to accommodate Peña, a move deemed unlikely before the window shuts.
This development has forced Barcelona to pivot toward other suitors to ensure Peña’s departure aligns with their financial strategy.
Other clubs remain in the race for Peña, with Serie A side Como emerging as the frontrunner, though their patience is waning as they consider alternatives.
Managed by Cesc Fàbregas, Como are keen to finalize their squad for the upcoming campaign but may hesitate, as Peña would likely serve as a backup to Jean Butez.
Girona have also shown late interest, potentially offering Peña a chance to compete with their current first-choice, Paulo Gazzaniga.
Barcelona has sweetened the deal by extending Peña’s contract by a year, deferring part of his wages to make him more affordable for suitors.
For Barcelona, resolving Peña’s future is critical to registering players like Wojciech Szczesny for their upcoming match against Levante.
The club aims to have any new club cover Peña’s full salary, easing their financial burden.
With time running out, Barcelona’s ability to navigate this transfer will determine their squad’s readiness for the challenges ahead in La Liga and beyond.
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