Barcelona reject loan enquiry from Turkish giants for La Masia graduate – report

According to journalist Josep Capdevila, Barcelona have turned down a loan enquiry from Turkish giants Galatasaray for goalkeeper Inaki Pena.

The 23-year-old La Masia graduate spent the second half of the last season on loan with Galatasaray and made a solid impression during his time in Turkey, even though he played just eight times.

Since returning to Barcelona in the summer, Pena was installed as the second-choice goalkeeper behind Marc-Andre ter Stegen, with Xavi Hernandez getting rid of Neto Murara.

However, game-time has been hard to come by for the shot-stopper, thanks to the terrific form ter Stegen finds himself in.

As a result, Pena has played just three games across all competitions, once in the UEFA Champions League and twice in the Copa del Rey.

Given his lack of game-time, Galatasaray tried to swoop in for the Barcelona academy man by making an enquiry to sign him on loan after they lost Sergio Muslera to an injury recently.

However, the Turkish giants have been met with a firm ‘no’ from the La Liga leaders.

The response is completely understandable given that Xavi & co. rate Pena highly and are keen to keep him around and help him develop into the future No. 1.

To that end, Barcelona are already working on a new contract for the academy product whose current deal expires at the end of the season.

Reports have suggested that the 23-year-old’s renewal is imminent, with the club set to tie him down until the summer of 2026.

So, there will be no second loan stint for Pena at Galatasaray, with the goalkeeper set to stay put at Barcelona.