Barcelona were very close to signing La Liga goalkeeper in the summer – report

Inaki Pena has been a constant figure in Barcelona’s first-team training sessions for years now. The La Masia graduate, for a long, has been seen as one with the quality required to play as a backup to Marc Andre ter Stegen and even replace him in the long run.

The Catalans sent the prodigy on loan to Galatasaray in January 2022 as the shot-stopper required regular minutes under his belt to maintain his growth. His season in Turkey did not go as expected, and he returned to Catalonia with just six Super Lig starts.

The player was, thus, at crossroads in the summer market and had half a mind to depart Barcelona for regular playing time. In fact, his desire to leave was so strong that the Catalans began their hunt for ter Stegen’s next replacement.

According to reports from Mundo Deportivo, Osasuna goalkeeper Aitor Fernandez was very close to signing for Xavi Hernandez’s side during this time.

The Spaniard had seen the worst when his team Levante was relegated from the first division. Forced to reduce their wage bill, the club were looking to offload some of their high-earners and Fernandez was one on the market.

The Catalans met with the goalkeeper’s entourage multiple times and negotiations between the two parties were advanced over a free transfer. However, it all fell apart in the end when Pena decided to stay in Barcelona for one more season before deciding his future.

The 31-year-old goalkeeper has been rock solid in goal for the Pamplona-based side this season, overseeing seven clean sheets so far in La Liga. He averages 2.6 saves per game and concedes less than one goal every ninety minutes.

There is no doubt that Fernandez would have been a fabulous backup for ter Stegen. However, given the German’s form this season, it is safe to say that he would see few minutes.