Barcelona set to revive interest in 30-year-old La Liga veteran in the summer – report

As reported earlier this week, Barcelona are internally debating the continuity of backup goalkeeper Inaki Pena at the club beyond this season.

There are some who felt the 24-year-old La Masia ace did not deliver on expectations during Marc-Andre ter Stegen’s absence and are thus leaning towards signing a more experienced goalkeeper to provide cover for the German.

It gave way to links to former Manchester United star David de Gea, who is unattached after leaving the Red Devils last year. UD Almeria’s on-loan goalkeeper Luis Maximiano has also been touted as a possible target.

Now, another option appears to have emerged on Barcelona’s radars as they continue to discuss their choices for the backup goalkeeping option.

Stole Dimitrievski on Barcelona’s agenda

Indeed, as per Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona are keeping tabs on veteran Rayo Vallecano goalkeeper Stole Dimitrievski, who is set to become a free agent in the summer.

The 30-year-old Macedonian goalkeeper has spent almost his entire career in Spain, having had stints with Cadiz, Granada, and Gimnastic before he landed at Rayo Vallecano in 2018.

Dimitrievski has made 180 appearances for Rayo, of which 116 have come in La Liga, with the shot-stopper being a regular starter in recent seasons.

Dimitrievski will be a free agent in the summer. (Photo by Fran Santiago/Getty Images)

The veteran star’s experience in Spain and the fact that he would be available for free in the summer appeal to Barcelona, who see him as a feasible target.

Barcelona came close to signing Dimitrievski in 2022

The report states that Barcelona have had good reports on Dimitrievski for a number of years now and even came close to signing him back in January 2022.

At the time, it appeared that the Catalans would be parting ways with then-backup shot-stopper Neto and had everything in place to replace him with the Rayo Vallecano star.

However, with Neto refusing to leave, the operation fell through and Dimitrievski did not arrive. But the Catalans could now revive their interest in the 30-year-old again in the summer.

It must, however, be noted that the goalkeeper has admitted he would be open to renewing his contract with Rayo Vallecano. So, it remains to be seen how things evolve in the weeks to come.