Barcelona outcasts now attracting serious interest from Ajax
· Yahoo Sports
Barcelona could soon receive an unexpected helping hand in their plans for next season, with Ajax showing concrete interest in two goalkeepers currently tied to the Catalan side.
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Barcelona are expected to undergo another important squad reshuffle in the summer, and the goalkeeping department is shaping up to be one of the biggest areas of change.
While the club appear satisfied with some of their current options, others no longer seem to have a clear place in the long-term project being prepared by Hansi Flick and sporting director Deco.
That situation has now attracted the attention of Ajax.
Ajax monitoring Ter Stegen and Pena
According to information from Mundo Deportivo, the Dutch giants are currently exploring the market for an experienced goalkeeper and have identified both Ter Stegen and Pena as possible options.
Ter Stegen is not in Barcelona’s plans. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)
The interest comes at a moment when neither goalkeeper appears guaranteed a future at Barcelona beyond this season.
Ajax’s interest is being driven heavily by technical director Jordi Cruyff, who wants to bring in a reliable and high-level presence between the posts.
Notably, what further strengthens the possibility of a move is Ajax’s expected managerial change.
Michel, currently in charge of Girona, is being strongly linked with the Ajax job, and that could become an important detail, especially considering the positive impression Ter Stegen made during his short spell away from Barcelona before suffering an injury setback.
Barcelona themselves are not expected to stand in the way of negotiations.
Inaki Pena is likely to leave Barcelona too. (Photo by Mateo Villalba Sanchez/Getty Images)
The club would ideally prefer permanent transfers, although fresh loan moves are also being considered as alternative solutions.
A new era at Barcelona
The developments surrounding Ter Stegen and Pena say a lot about how Barcelona are preparing for the future.
Despite both goalkeepers once being viewed as important squad figures, the hierarchy now appears ready to move in a completely different direction.
Barcelona already have Joan Garcia and Wojciech Szczesny positioned ahead in the pecking order, while the club are also exploring a possible move for Alex Remiro from Real Sociedad.
That combination leaves very little room for either Ter Stegen or Pena to realistically recover a major role next season.