Wojciech Szczęsny, the former Juventus goalkeeper, has reportedly agreed to join FC Barcelona, according to Spanish journalist Jose Alvarez Haya. The Polish shot-stopper is expected to sign with the Catalan club next week.
Barcelona has found itself in urgent need of a new goalkeeper following a severe injury to their main man, Marc-André ter Stegen. The German suffered a knee injury during a recent La Liga match, sidelining him for at least eight months. This prompted the club to quickly search for a replacement.
As Mundo Deportivo reported earlier this week, it came down to a “Keylor Navas vs. Wojciech Szczęsny battle” for the position. Despite Szczęsny announcing his retirement earlier this season, he could be tempted to return, especially since he would join his close friend and fellow Pole, Robert Lewandowski, at Barcelona.
Szczęsny, who last played for Juventus, terminated his contract with the Italian club, stating that football no longer brought him joy. He had been with Juventus since 2017, making 272 appearances and achieving 103 clean sheets. However, ter Stegen’s injury has now presented Szczęsny with a new opportunity.
Spanish media reports suggest that the negotiations are in advanced stages. Szczęsny is said to have requested a one-year contract with the option to extend, should ter Stegen’s recovery take longer. The deal may be complicated by a clause in Szczęsny’s Juventus contract, requiring a payment to the club if he returns to professional football shortly after retirement.
If finalized, Szczęsny would become the second Pole to represent Barcelona, joining Lewandowski, who has been with the club since 2022.