Wojciech Szczesny is set to join Barcelona as an emergency replacement goalkeeper after coming to an agreement with the European giants, according to reports.
The Polish shot-stopper decided to retire following the expiration of his contract at Juventus, but will now make a show-stopping return to playing at one of the world’s biggest clubs.
A deal has been struck between the involved parties after a shocking knee injury to Barcelona’s No.1 Marc-Andre ter Stegen ended his season prematurely, as reported by Fabrizio Romano.
Ter Stegen, 32, was stretchered off during Barca’s 5-1 rout of Villarreal and manager Hansi Flick immediately knew it was a ‘huge injury’, as he told DAZN.
The German custodian has torn the patellar tendon – which connects the kneecap to the shinebone – in his right knee and was tested at hospital in Villarreal.
Wojciech Szczesny is reportedly set to join Barcelona as an emergency replacement goalkeeper
Barcelona’s No.1 Marc-Andre ter Stegen has suffered a season-ending injury
Ter Stegen had to be carried off on a stretcher after suffering a knee injury at the weekend
Barcelona’s options to bring in a replacement were limited after a previous ruling decided clubs would no longer be able to sign a player from another club, as they did in the case of Martin Braithwaite from Leganes in 2020.
Szczesny was amongst a shortlist of names to step into the void between the posts at the LaLiga and Champions League competitor’s, as well as former Real Madrid goalkeeper Keylor Navas.
Barcelona are now set to officially sign the former Gunner – who previously won the FA Cup twice during his time in North London – on a one-year contract as he steps out of retirement.
Former Arsenal goalkeeper Szczesny is set to sign a one-year agreement at Barcelona
A medical is now set to take place in Spain later in the week before linking up with the rest of Hansi Flick’s squad.
The club will also be allowed to pay him up to 80 per cent of Ter Stegen’s £7.5millon salary.
Szczesny previously announced he was to quit the game in August after his contract with Juventus had been mutually terminated at the end of last season.
The 34-year old, who amassed 84 caps for Poland, had made 200 appearances for Juventus over seven years after joining from Arsenal for £12.5m.