Barcelona convey message of confidence to La Masia graduate amid talks of new signing

At this point, it has been taken for granted that Barcelona will sign Wojciech Szczesny in the coming days as a replacement for the injured Marc-Andre Ter Stegen.

The Polish goalkeeper, who recently announced his retirement from the game, has after all taken back his decision and has begun physical preparations ahead of his medicals scheduled for Monday.

As revealed earlier, however, the former Juventus star demands a starting role in the team, something the management are not comfortable guaranteeing as they retain trust in Inaki Pena.

Clear message to Pena

As revealed by MARCA, the club have transmitted to the homegrown goalkeeper from the moment Ter Stegen was injured that they maintain complete faith in his abilities with Hansi Flick even personally conveying it to the youngster.

“We are not going to sign a starting goalkeeper, if someone comes he will be a substitute. The goal is yours, you are the starter,” is the message given to him.

With La Masia ever so often repaying the trust of managers lavishly, it is only natural that they feel obligated to give Pena his chance as well, especially given how patiently he has been waiting for his chance in recent years.

The question around Szczesny’s arrival thus arises because the player insists that he will join only if he is a starter.

However, an agreement is already understood to be in place and the contract signing is likely to take place on Monday. With the management now clear over their stance with Pena, the Pole must come willing to fight for the spot.