- Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen could miss the rest of the season
- The German picked up a serious knee injury against Villarreal at the weekend
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A former Premier League star is reportedly open to returning to football with Barcelona, just four weeks after announcing his retirement.
The Catalan giants have enjoyed a superb start to the season, with Hansi Flick’s side winning all six games they have played so far in LaLiga.
However, the club were rocked at the weekend after Marc-Andre ter Stegen suffered a potentially season-ending knee injury during their 5-1 victory over Villarreal.
Inaki Pena is set to step into the side in ter Stegen’s absence, but there has been significant speculation over whether Barcelona will enter the free agent market to sign a new, more experienced goalkeeper.
The likes of Claudio Bravo, Keylor Navas and Wojciech Szczesny are among the names touted with a move to the Nou Camp, with the other goalkeepers on Barcelona’s books such as Ander Astralaga and Diego Kochen viewed as young and inexperienced.
A former Arsenal star is reportedly keen to join Barcelona after Marc-Andre ter Stegen’s injury
Ter Stegen could be out for the rest of the season after suffering a serious knee injury
Hansi Flick is reportedly keen to enter the market to sign a keeper who is currently a free agent
The links with Szczesny come despite the former Arsenal and Juventus keeper announcing his retirement this summer on August 27 at the age of 34, with the Pole explaining how his ‘heart is no longer ready’ for football.
However, according to Mundo Deportivo, Szczesny would consider ending his retirement – which has lasted just four weeks so far – to move to the Nou Camp.
These reports are only enhanced by his relationship with Barcelona striker and fellow Polish star Robert Lewandowski, while he is well-known to Flick’s staff following his experiences in European football.
Szczesny was last in action at Euro 2024 in the summer when he played two of Poland’s three group games at the tournament.
Meanwhile, the report also goes on to claim that Navas – who has been holding out for the right move this summer after leaving PSG – would be keen to join the club, despite spending five years at Real Madrid between 2014 and 2019.
Szczesny only announced his retirement in the summer but could be set to return to the game
The Pole has had experience of playing for a big club at both Juventus and Arsenal (pictured)
Former Real Madrid and PSG goalkeeper Keylor Navas is also being considered by Barcelona
He is believed to be in a good shape after continuing to train with Costa Rican side Deportivo Saprissa over recent months, with Navas rejecting several offers from teams all over the world.
The report goes on to claim that Flick and sporting director Deco are now set to come together to decide which goalkeeper to move for.
Navas and Szczesny are said to be towards the top of the list, with Barcelona attracted by the Pole’s experience at big clubs.
Barcelona return to action on Wednesday when they take on Getafe in LaLiga, as Flick’s side attempt to keep up their 100 per cent record.
