Barcelona agree deal to sign Wojciech Szczesny - Romano

Tom Weber

• Updated: 25 Sept 2024 16:22 BST
• 3 min read

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Barcelona have agreed a deal to sign Wojciech Szczesny, according to Fabrizio Romano.

The Blaugrana have acted quickly to replace starting goalkeeper Marc-Andre Ter Stegen after he suffered a likely season-ending injury against Villarreal on Sunday.

According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Barcelona have struck a deal with retired goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny to replace the German. The 34-year-old called time on a successful career just a few weeks ago after being told by Juventus that he had no future at the club.

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However, after offering to come out of retirement, he has now agreed to deputise for the Catalans in goal. The Pole has yet to complete his medical, but if successful, he will sign a one-year contract with the Spanish giants.

Barcelona's Ter Stegen replacement

In the wake of Ter Stegen's injury, a host of players started being linked with a free transfer move to Barcelona. Former Liverpool and Newcastle shot-stopper Loris Karius was one of the more realistic options.

Ex-Real Madrid hero Keylor Navas and former Barca and Man City keeper Claudio Bravo were also associated with a move, the latter offering to come out of retirement at 41 years of age as well.

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In former Juventus and Arsenal star Szczesny, Barcelona have signed a still eminently capable goalkeeper and perhaps the best possible replacement among the available options.

Ter Stegen's injury will nevertheless be a big blow even if he has not looked totally convincing yet under Hansi Flick. The 32-year-old only recently supplanted Manuel Neuer as Germany's No.1 after the latter's international retirement but will now be out of action for club and country for up to nine months.