Barcelona are in advanced talks to renew the contract of goalkeeper Inaki Pena and have rejected loan offers for the academy graduate, reports Fabrizio Romano.
The 23-year-old La Masia product spent the second half of the last season on loan at Galatasaray and had a decent run, even though he played just eight matches.
Back at the club in the summer, Pena received an opportunity to become the understudy to Marc-Andre ter Stegen, as Xavi Hernandez opted to sell Neto Murara.
While the Spanish goalkeeper has not played much this season, due to ter Stegen’s impeccable form, he is rated very highly by the coaching staff. Pena is seen as the ideal long-term successor to the German international at Camp Nou.
To that end, Barcelona are keen on securing his long-term future. His current contract expires at the end of the ongoing season, but Romano is reporting that the La Liga leaders are in advanced talks to renew his deal.
It has previously been claimed that Pena’s new contract will run until the summer of 2026.
Not only are the Blaugrana in advanced talks to extend the goalkeeper’s contract, but they are also understood to have rejected a loan approach for him from Galatasaray.
The Turkish giants are on the lookout for a new shot-stopper due to an injury to Fernando Muslera and asked Barcelona about the possibility of signing Pena until the end of the season. However, the Catalans have turned down their approach.
Pena is not the only youngster set for a renewal, with Alejandro Balde also set to be handed a new deal. Talks will take place with his agent Jorge Mendes imminently to finalise his contract extension.