23-year-old La Masia graduate could leave Barcelona next summer in search of game-time

Tonight will be a special occasion for Barcelona goalkeeper Inaki Pena as he is all set to make his first-team debut for the Catalan giants.

The 23-year-old has been on the club’s books for a decade, having joined La Masia in 2012 from Villarreal. Having risen through the ranks, the Spaniard has been in and around the senior team over the past couple of years or so but is yet to make his first appearance.

Pena was the third-choice keeper at Spotify Camp Nou behind Marc-Andre ter Stegen and Neto and spent the second half of the last season away on loan at Galatasaray.

Upon returning, Xavi entrusted him with the responsibility of being the second choice and sold Neto. And the manager confirmed in his pre-match press conference that Pena will be making his debut in the UEFA Champions League clash against Viktoria Plzen.

While the 23-year-old will feature tonight in the Czech Republic, AS is reporting that he is unlikely to remain a Barcelona player for much longer.

As things stand, Pena’s only game-time will likely come in the Copa del Rey apart from tonight’s clash against Viktoria Plzen. With ter Stegen in brilliant form this season, it is hard to see the La Masia graduate displace him anytime soon.

As such, Pena could decide to leave the club at the end of the season in search of more game-time. Given the stage at which he is in his career, the 23-year-old would aspire to play regularly but that is unlikely to come at Spotify Camp Nou at least for the next couple of seasons.

So, Pena, whose contract with the Blaugrana expires at the end of the season, could decide to move on when it does in search of a new adventure. Galatasaray are already said to be lining up a Bosman swoop for the Spaniard and it could be a realistic option for the goalkeeper if he decides to leave.