Barcelona Gears Up for a New Season Amid Major Changes, Flick Requests Two Departures
Barcelona is gearing up for a new season that promises significant changes both on and off the pitch, with German manager Hansi Flick continuing to lead the team. The club’s leadership is clearly focused on a major overhaul of the squad, particularly in key areas that led to internal issues last season.
According to Spain’s El Nacional, Flick is already hard at work preparing for his second season and has begun making decisive moves. Among his initial actions is the exclusion of two players from his future plans: Ansu Fati and Iñaki Peña.
Flick has reportedly insisted that both players must leave the club before pre-season training begins in July, as they no longer fit into his vision and won’t be given any playing time. His goal is to enter the new season with a clear and cohesive squad, free from uncertainty.
Ansu Fati appears close to ending his time at Barcelona. The club is on the verge of agreeing to a loan deal with AS Monaco, which includes an option to buy. After a difficult period marked by injuries, the winger is seeking consistent minutes and a fresh start away from Camp Nou.
The situation with Iñaki Peña is more complicated. Following the signing of Juan Garcia and the decision to keep Szczesny as the backup goalkeeper, there is no longer a role for Peña. Flick has informed the club of this stance, and sporting director Deco is now exploring transfer options.
However, the lack of solid offers remains a concern. While some lower-tier teams have expressed interest, top-level clubs have yet to make serious moves. Still, there’s hope that a suitable opportunity may present itself domestically or abroad in the near future.
If no transfer materializes, Barcelona may be forced to terminate Peña’s contract—though this would be a last resort. Flick has made it clear that he wants to start the season without any players who are not part of his plans.
