It has been reported that Barcelona is there conversations with former Juventus goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny as options are considered to replace Marc-Andre ter Stegen.
Ter Stegen tore a tendon in his right knee during the weekend win against Villarreal, requiring surgery and feared to be season-ending. injury.
He leaves Inaki Pena as Barcelona’s senior goalkeeper and unproven young pair Ander Astralaga and Diego Kochen as substitutes. As such, it was quickly rumored that the Catalans were holding what were described as “emergency” transfer talks to weigh up the possibility of securing a replacement.
Claudio Bravo, who shared duties with Ter Stegen for two years and recently retired after leaving Real Betis, has offered his services to his former club.
But Szczesny has also emerged. Polish departure games were the first to report that Barcelona have been in contact with the goalkeeper, with several outlets soon confirming that contact had been made. But with talks still at an early stage, it is unclear what the outcome will be, although Szczesny is said to be open to the idea.
The 34-year-old was released from his contract with Juventus by mutual consent in the summer. But instead of finding a new club, surprisingly announced his retirement altogetheradmitting that he no longer felt mentally able to continue playing.
Szczesny had been Juventus’ No.1 until the end, missing just three Serie A games last season, suggesting he would still be good enough to start at a top-flight club.
Szczesny joined Arsenal’s youth ranks at the age of 16 and made 181 appearances for the club until he was suddenly dropped following an apparent row with Arsene Wenger. He spent two years on loan at Roma, before a permanent transfer to Juve in 2017.
