Barcelona are reportedly preparing to send two young players on loan this summer, with Iñaki Peña and Hector Fort both linked to a move to Como in Serie A. Peña is not viewed as a starting-level keeper, with the club preferring Wojciech Szczesny as the backup option. Fort, meanwhile, is seen by Hansi Flick as a talented player who isn’t trusted as a backup for Jules Kounde or Alejandro Balde, but who would benefit from regular first-team minutes somewhere else. Now those two underperforming assets could be moving in tandem to Como on loan.
The plan, according to Anais Marti of La Vanguardia, would see Peña head to Como on a two-year loan while extending his Barcelona contract, and Fort join on a one-year loan. Peña has long been linked with Como, with manager Cesc Fabregas reportedly a fan of him, and it appears Barcelona’s registration issues have been the main hurdle delaying the deal. For Fort, interest has come from across Europe, with Fabrizio Romano noting Aston Villa as another potential destination. A loan to Como could be a better development pathway for Fort than a move elsewhere, given the right environment and guaranteed minutes.
Whether the double move is finalized remains to be seen, but a loan exit for both players still looks likely. If it goes through, Barcelona would clear two fringe squad members while Como would gain two young talents who could seize opportunities in Serie A under the guidance of Fabregas.
Additional context and value:
– This potential arrangement underscores Barcelona’s strategy of offloading non-starting assets to ensure better development paths for their academy talents while managing roster and registration constraints.
– For Como, Gudgested involvement of Peña and Fort could provide fresh competition and depth in both goalkeeping and defensive areas, aligning with Fabregas’s squad-building approach.
– If Peña excels on loan, it could set the stage for his long-term role at Barcelona or a future move elsewhere; if Fort thrives, it could accelerate his progress toward becoming a first-team option.
Summary:
Two Barcelona youngsters, Iñaki Peña and Hector Fort, appear poised for a Como loan in a move driven by development needs and registration hurdles. Peña would stay for two years with a contract extension, Fort for one year, with Fabregas reportedly supportive of Peña and Aston Villa once mentioned as a potential option for Fort. The outcome remains uncertain, but the path points toward meaningful game time in Italy and potential upside for both clubs.
Positive note:
If the loans materialize, both players get valuable minutes in a competitive league, which could boost their development and provide Barcelona with clearer long-term rosters choices.