The powers that be at Spanish giants Barcelona are giving consideration to a move for free agent goalkeeper David de Gea.
That’s according to Mundo Deportivo, who have today provided an insight into the latest developments behind the scenes in Catalunya’s capital.
Deco and his Barcelona transfer team, it is understood, are currently keeping a close eye on the goalkeeper market with a view to the summer.
This comes with the sale of Iñaki Peña being taken into serious consideration.
Peña, for his part, has of course played a surprisingly prominent role in Xavi’s Blaugrana squad across the season to date.
After Marc-André ter Stegen was ruled out for an extended stretch owing to a back problem, the 24-year-old stepped up in his place.
Peña’s initial endeavours proved to be of an impressive nature, as the Spaniard garnered widespread praise for at times keeping Xavi’s side in games with his shot stopping.
As the weeks passed, however, mistakes crept into his game, with Peña having looked less than assured in his role as a starter for one of the continent’s biggest clubs.
As a result, Barcelona are giving serious consideration to moving their no.2 on later this year.
And should as much come to fruition, Deco and co. have already identified two potential replacements for Peña.
First up comes Luís Maximiano, in the midst of an impressive campaign at La Liga strugglers Almería, on loan from Serie A outfit Lazio.
Even more noteworthy, though, would be the arrival of the 2nd shot-stopper tipped for a move to Catalaunya, in the form of David de Gea.
Spanish international De Gea remains unattached since his free agent departure from Manchester United last summer, albeit with it currently unclear whether he would be open to the prospect of acting as a backup to Marc-André ter Stegen.
Nevertheless, he is said to be ‘on the agenda’ at Barcelona, who could well seek out his signature as part of a cut-price operation for next season.
Conor Laird | GSFN
