The Spanish newspaper "Sport" reported that Spanish goalkeeper Iñaki Peña, who is on loan to Elche, will return to Barcelona next summer after his loan period ends, amid uncertainty surrounding his future within the Catalan team.

The newspaper explained that Peña, who left Barcelona in the last days of the previous transfer market, moved to Elche after the club struggled to register Polish goalkeeper Wojciech Szczęsny and due to Marc-André ter Stegen's injury. After Szczęsny was officially registered, Peña moved on loan and successfully secured a starting position after the first two rounds, delivering impressive performances.

The newspaper added that Peña, who renewed his contract with Barcelona until June 2029 before his departure, will return next summer, but his future will be determined based on the goalkeeping situation in the team, especially after the club signed Juan García until 2031, who is considered the primary goalkeeper project for the coming years despite his current absence due to injury.

Barcelona's squad also includes ter Stegen and Szczęsny, as the former is recovering from back surgery and may leave in search of more playing minutes before the World Cup, while Szczęsny's contract extends until June 2027, and his continuation is a decisive factor in Peña's fate.

The report indicated that Szczęsny's presence will make it difficult for Iñaki Peña to find a place in the team, which may prompt Barcelona's management to sell him, especially since this option was already on the table in the last transfer market, after the goalkeeper lost confidence in coach Hans Flick since he decided to exclude him in favor of Szczęsny last January.