The situation of Barcelona is very delicate at this moment. With Ter Stegen injured for a period of at least eight months, the Catalan club needs to find an urgent replacement for the German goalkeeper. And with a tough financial situation along with the transfer window already slammed shut, the name that has come forward as the first option is that of Wojciech Szczesny. The just-retired Polish goalkeeper has the look of one about to be talked back into action as his peaceful retirement is disrupted to strap on the gloves for Barça.
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Szczesny's retirement: a pause or the real end?
Szczesny called it a career after not re-signing with Juventus. Arguably, the 34-year-old Polish keeper looked ready to hang up his gloves after a successful career with clubs like Arsenal, Roma, and Juventus. As we know, soccer loves to throw curveballs, and that serious injury to Ter Stegen just might be the push Szczesny needed to go back on his word.
In fact, according to various reports from Barcelona's top sports papers and Fabrizio Romano, a transfer market expert, Barça has already contacted Szczesny. But if that wasn't enough, Lewandowski - his longtime teammate in the Polish national team - had been acting as an intermediary in the negotiations.
But is Szczesny ready for such a demanding role after retiring? It would indeed be a risk for him and Barcelona to come out of retirement for soccer. Plus, Barcelona desperately needs a quick and reliable solution in goal.
Options and financial challenges of Barça
The big problem with Barcelona's search for a new keeper is that, with the transfer window closed, they can only sign free agents. Besides Szczesny, another strong option is Keylor Navas. The Costa Rican keeper, formerly of Real Madrid and PSG, is also a free agent, and per the Spanish press, he'd be open to hearing what Barcelona has to offer.
Pacy at 37, Navas has proved his salt time and again and was instrumental in Real Madrid's Champions League victories. It would, however, be a little ironic seeing a former Madrid legend don a Barça shirt, that is for sure.
Barcelona is not exactly overflowing with free spending power, either. Though La Liga has given the green light to a rule that enables Ter Stegen to be replaced by another goalkeeper with 80% offsetting, Barça must be very prudent with every market move as it is still battling to try to bring years of previous mismanagement to an end.
Replacing Ter Stegen: not a problem?
We are talking about one of the most consistent and reliable goalkeepers in the world when talking about Ter Stegen. Now, his absence for such a long period is a serious blow to Barcelona. Undoubtedly, he instills confidence in the team's defense; finding someone who could replace him not just technically but also emotionally is a big ask.
Barça still have Iñaki Peña, a 25-year-old keeper who joined the club in 2018/19, but has played just 23 official games so far. Though promising, he is still to confirm he can bear the burden in such a taxing season. Along with Peña, there are Astragala (20) and young Kochen (18), none of whom look like an option worth taking seriously at the moment.
Another name that has swirled in the Spanish press is the possible return of Claudio Bravo. The Chilean keeper, who played for Barça during the 2014/15 and 2015/16 seasons, reportedly offered his services if needed. At 41 years old, however, it seems highly unlikely. But this possibility does show just how desperate Barcelona is to find a short-term fix.