Former Arsenal star open to ditching retirement amidst surprise interest from Barcelona: Reports
Former Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny is said to be open to returning to active football amid interest from Spanish giants Barcelona, as per Mundo Deportivo. La Blaugrana are in the market for a new goalkeeper following a season-ending injury to Marc-Andre Ter Stegen.
Club captain Ter Stegen saw his season come to a premature end after he ruptured his patellar tendon in his side's 5-1 win over Villarreal. La Liga rules permit the signing and registration of a free agent in extraordinary situations, and Barcelona can thus make a signing.
Reports have indicated that Wojciech Szczesny is one of the top options being considered by the Spanish outfit despite having retired this summer. Mundo Deportivo report that the experienced goalkeeper is holidaying in Marbella, and would be open to a move.
Szczesny announced his retirement from professional football in the summer, having played for Arsenal in England, and AS Roma and Juventus in Italy. He featured for Poland at Euro 2024, playing twice as they were eliminated in the group stage.
Szczesny was reportedly on the verge of moving to the Saudi Pro League this summer, with Al-Nassr showing interest in him. The 34-year-old, however, ended up cancelling his contract with Juventus and retiring.
Barcelona will be impressed by the fact that Szczesny had a 73% save success rate in his final season with the Italian club. The goalkeeper also kept 15 clean sheets in Serie A for the Bianconeri in 35 appearances.
Barcelona have approached the agents of the Polish goalkeeper to see if they can convince him to return to playing for them. The club will also hope that Polish striker Robert Lewandowski can play a role in convincing the former Arsenal man to sign with them.
Szczesny interested in Barcelona switch after turning down Arsenal in the summer - Reports
Polish goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny's interest in a Barcelona switch is a surprise, seeing as he turned down a move to Arsenal in the summer, as per TBR Football. The goalkeeper is reportedly one of the names being considered by Hansi Flick's side to provide cover after Marc-Andre Ter Stegen's injury.
Szczesny made his intentions of leaving Juventus clear in the summer, and Mikel Arteta's Arsenal were one of the sides to approach him. The club were looking for a backup goalkeeper to David Raya, as Aaron Ramsdale was keen to move elsewhere. The Polish shot-stopper, however, turned down the approach from his former club, preferring to retire, as per TBR Football.
Arsenal went on to sign Neto from Bournemouth, instead.