New Delhi: Barcelona is facing a tough situation this season after Marc-Andre ter Stegen picked up a serious knee injury. The German international, who has been a key figure for the team for years, is now set to miss the majority, if not the entirety, of the season. With Ter Stegen out, Barcelona has a big hole in their goalkeeping department.
The club’s back-up option, Iñaki Pena, is set to take over for now, but the lack of experienced alternatives has led the Catalan club to explore signing a replacement outside of the transfer window. La Liga’s rules allow teams to bring in a player if they suffer a long-term injury, and Barcelona can use this opportunity to strengthen the squad. However, there are financial fair play restrictions, meaning any replacement’s salary must be in line with the outgoing player’s. This gives the club a limited pool of options to choose from.
Despite these challenges, the urgency to find a replacement has grown, especially as the team fights for multiple titles this season.
Who can replace Marc-Andre ter Stegen?
📰 FC Barcelona can immediately sign a replacement for Ter Stegen provided it’s an unemployed player who currently doesn’t have any contract with a club.
✍️ @partidazocope
❓Who would you pick up? pic.twitter.com/ITrRT45DZR
— Barca Spaces (@BarcaSpaces) September 22, 2024
Barcelona has a 30-day window to sign a new goalkeeper due to La Liga’s injury replacement rule. This special provision allows the club to bring in a new player, but they must meet specific financial requirements. Barcelona is already struggling with their salary cap limits, and this will further complicate things.
To add to the challenge, any new signing must either be a free agent or join on a short-term deal. Barcelona has been linked with a few names, but none come without complications. One name that stands out is Keylor Navas. The former Real Madrid goalkeeper is currently without a club after leaving Paris Saint-Germain. Despite his past with Barca’s fierce rivals, Navas has expressed interest in a potential move and would be available at a reasonable wage. He would bring a wealth of experience, which could ease the pressure on the team.
Another option is Wojciech Szczęsny, who recently retired but might reconsider his decision if Barcelona approaches him. The Polish shot-stopper had a long career at Juventus and could be persuaded to give it one last go in Spain. Yet, getting him to step out of retirement would be tricky and might not be the ideal long-term solution.
Apart from these, Barcelona might also consider looking within their own ranks. Iñaki Peña has been with the club for years, and although relatively inexperienced at the highest level, he has shown potential. Another young option is Ander Astralaga, who currently plays for Barcelona’s B team. However, relying on youth could be a risky move, especially with Barcelona aiming to win both domestic and European titles.
The deadline for Barcelona to sign a replacement is October 22, and if they miss it, they will have to wait until January’s transfer window. Waiting until then comes with its own risks, as Barcelona’s schedule is packed, and any mistakes in goal could prove costly.
Ultimately, the club’s next steps will depend on their confidence in Iñaki Peña or their ability to secure an experienced goalkeeper. With financial restrictions and a limited selection, Barcelona faces a difficult decision ahead. But one thing is clear—they cannot afford to take any chances with their goalkeeping situation during this crucial part of the season.
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