La Liga side Barcelona are considering making a move for Portuguese goalkeeper Luis Maximiano in the summer transfer window, according to Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo. They are looking at the potential options to bolster their defensive line ahead of the next season.
Amid uncertainty over the future of German goal-stopper Marc-Andre ter Stegen and Spanish Inaki Pena, the Blaugrana want to keep the backup options ready. The club sees Maximiano as a viable option and might be making attempts to land him to acquire his services.
Luis Maximiano’s journey so far
Luis Maximiano came through the young divisions and joined Sporting CP before signing for Spanish side Granada in 2021. His debut season with the club was successful, which impressed Serie A side Lazio enough to sign him in the summer of 2022.
However, Maximiano’s stint in the Italian league wasn’t very fruitful. Hence, Lazio loaned him to his current club UD Almeria and he returned to Spain. He has featured in 25 games this season so far, conceding 45 goals while keeping only five clean sheets.
Is Luis Maximiano good enough for Barcelona?
Barcelona’s interest in Luis Maximiano is understandable as they face a goalkeeping dilemma for the next season. Marc-Andre ter Stegen is speculated to leave the club following this season as the interest from Saudi intensifies. Even the club will not mind selling him if a lucrative offer arrives.
The Spanish club has been facing a financial crisis for a long time now. To balance the account book, they will be ready to cash in on the star goalkeeper. Not only ter Stegen but there is also uncertainty over the future of Inaki Pena.
This has forced the club to actively look for goalkeepers in the market for the summer. Luis Maximiano will not be too costly for the club. Hence, the Portuguese goalkeeper becomes a viable option for the La Liga side.
However, Maximiano has yet to prove himself at the highest level. There will be doubt if he can perform at Barcelona or not, where the pressure tends to mount on every mistake. All in all, a risky move which Barcelona would never have made without the financial constraints they are facing right now.
