Former FC Barcelona player open to leaving PSG for return to Catalonia
By Manuel Meza
Arnau Tenas, who joined Paris Saint-Germain in the summer of 2023 after his contract with FC Barcelona ended, has maintained a strong connection with his former club. The 23-year-old Spanish goalkeeper, who recently won an Olympic gold medal, has left the door open for a potential return to Barcelona later in his career.
This summer, PSG saw the departure of several goalkeepers whose contracts expired, including Keylor Navas, Sergio Rico, and Alexandre Letellier. Despite this, Tenas chose to stay at the Parc des Princes, signing a contract that runs until 2026. Although the arrival of Matvey Safonov has pushed him down to third in the pecking order, Tenas remains committed to PSG for the 2024-2025 season. However, he hasn't ruled out the possibility of a future return to Barcelona.
In a candid interview with Catalunya Radio (h/t Le10Sport), Tenas reflected on his departure from Barcelona and his move to PSG. He expressed his disappointment at not receiving a renewal offer from his former club, stating:
"I would have signed any contract. I would have stayed and even accepted a loan move elsewhere if I didn't have a place in the first team. I don’t understand why this didn’t happen. I wasn’t expecting it. They didn’t put an offer on the table for me to accept or reject."
Former FC Barcelona player open to leaving PSG for return to Catalonia
Despite his current position as PSG's third-choice goalkeeper, Tenas has spoken warmly about his time in Paris. He revealed that he has been pleasantly surprised by how well he has settled into life at PSG and in the city itself:
"Yes, why not (return to Barcelona)? Barcelona will always be my home, of course. But if good things happen at PSG, where I feel very good, I will stay because I love this club... I didn’t expect to be so happy and comfortable so quickly. I adore Paris. I’ve adapted very well, people have treated me kindly, and I learned the language very quickly."
Tenas’s situation at PSG means he is likely to see limited playing time behind Gianluigi Donnarumma and Safonov this season. Nevertheless, his positive outlook on his current circumstances and his quick adaptation to Paris reflect his contentment with his present role. Yet, the possibility of returning to Barcelona remains a part of his long-term plans. Let's see what happens.