Wojciech Szczesny hasn’t ruled out a shock move to Barcelona following the long-term knee injury that looks to have ended Marc-Andre ter Stegen’s season.
Ter Stegen requires surgery after rupturing a patella tendon during Sunday’s La Liga win over Villarreal. Inaki Pena will deputise in the short-term, but Barcelona are reported to be exploring options to bring in someone else as an ’emergency’ signing.
Formerly of La Masia, Pena will turn 26 in a few months. He made 17 appearances last season covering for Ter Stegen, but there are still doubts over his ability to be a long-term number one.
Claudio Bravo, 41 and recently retired, has offered his services to his former club, while a report from Poland this week named Szczesny as a target – just one month after the former Juventus goalkeeper shocked the football world and announced his own retirement at the age of 34.
Szczesny responded to Mundo Deportivo‘s request for a comment. And while he didn’t directly address whether he will or won’t be picking up his gloves again, he also didn’t deny it as a possibility.
“I just hope that Marc recovers soon, he is a good friend and a great goalkeeper and I wish him the best. That’s the only thing I can comment on,” Szczesny told the Barcelona-based newspaper.
The original report from Polish outlet Meczyki first linking Szczesny with Barcelona had already suggested that the former Arsenal talent was at least open to the idea.
Szczesny’s retirement came as a surprise because he had still been Juventus’ number one goalkeeper last season, missing only three Serie A games over the course of the campaign and helping the club to their best league finish (third place) in four years.
What we know
- Wojciech Szczesny comments on Barcelona transfer links
- Goalkeeper retired last month after leaving Juventus
- Barcelona in need of emergency cover for Marc-Andre ter Stegen.