In a major update, Toni Juanmarti is reporting that Barcelona goalkeeper Inaki Pena has decided to renew his contract with the club after assessing all options on the table.
The 24-year-old La Masia graduate is in the final year of his contract and had previously shown an inclination to sign a new deal with the Catalans until 2026.
However, talks over the new contract had come to a complete standstill recently as Pena had reservations over his game-time situation at Barcelona.
Reports even suggested that the Spaniard, who made his first-team debut earlier this season, had informed his agents to listen to offers from elsewhere.
Barcelona, though, always wanted Pena to stay at the club and were silently confident that they will be able to convince him to sign a new contract.
Meanwhile, Pena had already had received written offers from Turkish clubs Fenerbahce and Galatasaray. An unnamed club from the Premier League was also very keen on the 24-year-old goalkeeper as they were ready to pounce on the opportunity and sign him for free.
But, deep down, Pena always wanted to continue at Barcelona. The doubts about renewing had crept in after he was overlooked for the Copa del Rey clash against Real Sociedad in late January.
However, after speaking to the club and being given assurances over his role, Pena has now decided to commit his future to Barcelona and is likely to sign the new contract in the next few days.
Pena, so far, has made three first-team appearances for Barcelona, keeping one clean sheet in the process.
The 24-year-old’s impending renewal means that Arnau Tenas could potentially leave on loan next season to gain first-team experience at the highest level instead of continuing as the Barça Atletic goalkeeper.