Barcelona clear to register Wojciech Szczesny as Inaki Pena agrees La Liga loan move after signing contract extension

According to Mundo Deportivo, Barca have settled their goalkeeping puzzle with a double move with backup goalkeeper Pena has agreed a new contract with Barca until 2029 but will immediately go out on loan to Elche in La Liga, where he will have the chance to play regular football. His departure also helps the Catalan giants financially, as his wages are partly shifted off the books, a key step to registering Szczesny. The Polish veteran remains part of the squad and is expected to serve as second-choice keeper behind Joan Garcia, while Marc-Andre ter Stegen continues his recovery from back surgery.

The move shows Barca’s attempt to balance sporting development with financial pragmatism as Pena, who had limited minutes last season, gets the chance to establish himself as a La Liga starter under Eder Sarabia at Elche. For Camp Nou, the loan frees crucial salary space at a time when La Liga’s financial fair play rules remain strict. Szczesny’s registration gives Hansi Flick an experienced option while Garcia continues as the new first-choice keeper. 

Pena has renewed with Barca until 2029 and is set for a season-long loan to Elche. It’s his second loan after Galatasaray in 2021-22, and this move brings him closer to home in Alicante. Financially, reports indicated Elche couldn’t cover Pena’s full salary, so Barca and Elche worked on a split-wage arrangement to make the move viable. Registering Szczesny is part of the plan as he was already in the squad last season and will serve as backup to Joan Garcia while Ter Stegen recovers from back surgery which gives Flick a defined trio without leaning on youth in the interim.

With this reshuffle, Flick now has a clear goalkeeping roadmap with Garcia as the trusted No.1 and Szczesny offering reliability. The situation could grow complicated when Ter Stegen returns in a few months, however.