Barcelona is set to shake up its goalkeeping department this summer as part of a broader strategy to build for the future.

With several moving pieces in the squad, the Catalan club is already scouting potential reinforcements, and a new name has emerged as a priority target.

Szczesny Likely to Stay, Peña on the Move

Under Hansi Flick’s management, Wojciech Szczesny has established himself as a key figure between the posts.

As a result, Barcelona is expected to offer the Polish shot-stopper a one-year contract extension to keep him at the club beyond this season.

However, this decision could push Iñaki Peña toward an exit. The young goalkeeper, eager for more playing time, is drawing interest from clubs in Turkey, England, and Spain.

If Szczesny remains the preferred backup option, Peña is likely to seek a new challenge elsewhere.

Uncertainty Surrounding Ter Stegen

Meanwhile, Marc-André ter Stegen continues his recovery from injury, but there are concerns about how he will perform once he returns.

His prolonged absence, combined with a challenging personal period, raises questions about whether he will regain his previous form. This uncertainty has led Barcelona to explore a long-term solution in the goalkeeping department.

Lucas Chevalier on Barcelona’s Radar

Sporting director Deco has identified Lucas Chevalier of Lille as a prime target, according to Fichajes.

The 23-year-old Frenchman is regarded as one of the most promising goalkeepers in Europe, and his performances in Ligue 1 have not gone unnoticed.

Several top clubs, including Real Madrid, are monitoring Chevalier as a potential successor to Thibaut Courtois. However, Barcelona is keen to move swiftly and has already initiated talks with the goalkeeper’s representatives to gain an advantage in the race for his signature.

Chevalier is currently under contract with Lille until 2027, and his market value is estimated at €30 million. Barcelona hopes to negotiate a more favorable deal to secure his services.

Barcelona’s Long-Term Goalkeeping Plan

With uncertainty surrounding ter Stegen’s long-term future and Peña likely to leave, Barcelona is prioritizing the acquisition of a reliable young goalkeeper.

Chevalier fits the profile perfectly, offering both immediate quality and long-term potential.

The coming months will determine whether Barcelona can strike a deal with Lille and fend off competition from other European giants. But one thing is clear the club is planning ahead to ensure stability in a crucial position for years to come.

When Kylian Mbappe finally joined Real Madrid after years of speculation, fans knew they were getting one of the best forwards in the world.

Alongside Vinicius Jr. and Rodrygo, he has formed an electrifying attack that often results in goal-scoring spectacles.

However, Mbappe’s early days in Madrid weren’t smooth sailing. He struggled to find his rhythm, often overthinking his decisions and failing to make a significant impact.

Critics were quick to brand him a flop, questioning whether he could ever live up to expectations. But as time passed, things began to fall into place, and the Mbappe of old started to reemerge.

A Record-Breaker Even in Tough Times

Despite the criticism, Mbappe has continued to make history. According to Stats Foot, he recently became the first French player to score at least 29 goals in his debut season at a club in one of Europe’s top four leagues.

His record-breaking goal came against Rayo Vallecano, and with months still left in the season, that tally is bound to grow.

To put this achievement into perspective, this list includes legends like Karim Benzema when he first arrived at Real Madrid and Thierry Henry during his early Arsenal days.

Many players need time to adjust to a new club, but even while adapting, Mbappe has already made his mark in the record books.

The skepticism surrounding his performances may have been warranted in the beginning, but even as he found his footing, critics continued to doubt him. Now, with 29 goals and counting, he is proving them wrong.

His story is far from over, and if history has shown us anything, it’s that Kylian Mbappe thrives under pressure.

For those still doubting, just keep watching. Because every criticism, every doubt, only fuels the fire of a player destined to be one of football’s greatest heartbreakers.

West Ham and Newcastle United are set for a crucial showdown at the London Stadium on Monday, with both sides eager to secure three vital Premier League points.

The Magpies are looking to bounce back from recent away struggles, while the Hammers aim to build on their improved form under Graham Potter.

Match Insights and Stats
Newcastle are slight favorites for this fixture, with the Opta supercomputer giving them a 42.4% chance of victory, compared to West Ham’s 31.5%.
The Magpies have struggled on the road, losing their last two away league games without scoring.

West Ham, on the other hand, have a chance to complete a Premier League double over Newcastle for the first time since 2018-19.
If the Hammers take the lead, they’ll be tough to beat they’ve won 9 of their 12 games after scoring first this season (D1, L2), boasting a 75% win rate in such scenarios.

West Ham’s Recent Form and Challenges
West Ham have shown signs of resurgence after a slow start under Potter. They secured an impressive victory over Arsenal and followed it up with a 2-0 win against Leicester City.

Now, they’re looking to make it three league wins in a row for the first time since December 2023.

However, their attacking efficiency has been a concern. Only Southampton (7.5%) have a lower shot conversion rate in the league than West Ham (9%), and the Hammers also have the worst shot accuracy, hitting the target with just 30% of their attempts.

Despite that, fans can expect plenty of goal-mouth action on Monday. West Ham’s games have produced a league-high 801 total shots this season (357 for, 444 against), making them one of the most entertaining teams to watch.

Newcastle’s Struggles on the Road
Newcastle need to turn around their poor away form. They have lost their last two Premier League away games 4-0 to Manchester City and 2-0 to Liverpool without registering a single goal.

The last time they went three consecutive away matches without scoring was in the 2020-21 season.

Eddie Howe will be banking on his side’s positive record against teams managed by Potter (W2, D1) and hoping that his squad can bounce back from their run of four defeats in their last six league games.

With Anthony Gordon suspended and Lewis Hall injured, Newcastle might look to Harvey Barnes, who has an impressive track record against West Ham—scoring more goals against them than any other team (6). Meanwhile, Alexander Isak is expected to start after recovering from a minor setback.

Potential Team News
West Ham could receive a boost with the possible return of Vladimir Coufal and Lucas Paquetá after their recent absences.

Newcastle’s lineup will be missing key players, but Isak’s return is a major plus for their attacking threat.

Head-to-Head Record
West Ham claimed a 2-0 win at St. James’ Park in November and are looking to complete the season double over Newcastle for the first time since 2018-19.

Newcastle, however, have not lost at the London Stadium in their last five Premier League visits (W3, D2) since a 2-0 defeat in March 2019 under Rafa Benítez.

Match Prediction
Despite Newcastle’s recent away struggles, they edge out West Ham in the Opta supercomputer’s predictions, winning 42.4% of the 10,000 simulations. However, West Ham claimed all three points in 31.5% of simulations, with a draw occurring 26.1% of the time.

With both teams having a lot to fight for, expect an intense battle under the London Stadium lights. Will Newcastle finally end their away woes, or will West Ham’s momentum carry them to a third consecutive victory? Monday night will have the answer.