FC Barcelona Coach Flick Decides Signing To Replace Ter Stegen, Reports Mundo Deportivo

FC Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick has decided which potential signing should replace his injured captain Marc-Andre ter Stegen according to Mundo Deportivo, which cited anonymous sources.

Ter Stegen was stretchered off the pitch in tears during Sunday's eventual 5-1 win over Villarreal.

The victory maintained a 100% record and four-point lead over bitter rivals Real Madrid at the top of the La Liga table, but that achievement was overshadowed by what is expected to be a season-ending knee knock confirmed by the club at the turn of the week.

In a prematch press conference to preview Wednesday's home meeting with Getafe, Flick backed Ter Stegen's usual stand-in Inaki Peni, who saw out of the rest of the Villarreal thrashing and also replaced the usual number one on various occasions in 2023/2024 under the orders of former manager Xavi Hernandez.

"He has worked very hard to be here. He is focused and ready to play. We are confident but we also have to look at what we'll do because the players behind [us] are very young. At the moment, we do not feel pressured and we trust Inaki," Flick said.

At the same time, however, the tactician also stated that he and his staff will "have to look at the options we have" though they aren't under any "pressure right now" to come to a final decision on a replacement.

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Yet as explained by Mundo Deportivo, Flick held a meeting with Sporting Director Deco not long after the press conference where he was essentially given a choice between two potential options.

The club reportedly trusts Pena as well, but is worried about if he becomes sidelined too which would leave the squad with only young alternatives such as Ander Astralaga and Diego Kochen.

La Liga chief Javier Tebas has already confirmed that Barca can sign a new player because of Ter Stegen's absence whether that is a goalkeeper or not, however the potential candidate must be a free agent and make only 80% of Ter Stegen's salary.

After reducing a shortlist to just two men, it will essentially be a case of picking between previously retired Juventus legend Wojciech Szczesny or former Real Madrid shotstopper Keylor Navas.

Of the pair, Flick has reportedly opted for Szczesny whom compatriot Robert Lewandowski presumably only has great things to say about.

Now it remains to be seen how fast the club moves on getting the Pole to lace up his boots once more.