"If you say 'no' to Barca, it's because you don't have the b***s or bravery" - Wojciech Szczesny on his move to Barcelona
Wojciech Szczesny believes it is impossible to turn down a move to Barcelona. The Polish goalkeeper joined the Catalans earlier this month as a replacement for the injured Marc-Andre ter Stegen.
The German goalkeeper picked up a knee injury last month that required surgery. Ter Stegen could now miss the rest of the campaign, which will be a big blow to the Catalan giants.
The situation prompted Barcelona to turn to the market for reinforcements. La Liga rules allow clubs to sign free agents as replacements for players with long-term injuries.
The Catalans took advantage of that clause to secure a move for Szczesny. The 34-year-old retired in August this month after terminating his contract with Juventus.
However, the La Liga giants were able to convince him to come out of retirement to help deal with Marc-Andre Ter Stegen's absence. Szczesny has signed a deal until the end of this season.
Speaking to journalist Toni Juanmarti, the veteran goalkeeper insisted that only players who don't have hunger for challenges turn down Barcelona.
“If you say 'no' to Barça, it's because you don't have the balls or bravery for a challenge like this..,” Szczesny said.
Szczesny is a highly experienced campaigner, having played for Arsenal and AS Roma as well in his career. The Pole has registered 542 appearances in his career, picking up 208 clean sheets.
Will Barcelona sign a new goalkeeper in 2025?
Barcelona could be in the market for a new custodian next summer. The Catalans are not entirely convinced with Inaki Pena, which is why they opted to rope in Wojciech Szczesny.
However, the Pole is only a short-term fix and the club are already considering replacements for Marc-Andre ter Stegen. The German goalkeeper has divided opinion among fans for ages, and his fitness record is also a cause of concern.
Ter Stegen has already had two previous surgeries on the same knee that he injured last month. As such, there are concerns regarding his recovery process as well.
The La Liga giants have apparently identified Diogo Costa as the German's possible replacement. The Portuguese shot-stopper has been outstanding for Porto in recent times and has all the attributes required to be successful at Camp Nou.
Recent reports have suggested that Barcelona could consider a move for the 25-year-old next summer. However, Costa is under contract with Porto until 2027 and prising him away from Estadio do Dragao won't be easy. The Portuguese side are likely to demand a massive fee for their star man, which, given the Catalans' poor finances, could be a deal-breaker.