Polish goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny remains in advanced talks with FC Barcelona as the Catalan club started to search for a replacement for injured Marc-Andre ter Stegen.
Argentina's Lionel Messi (R) lies on the pitch after he is fouled by Poland's goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny which results in a penalty to Argentina during their Group C match at the 2022 FIFA World Cup at Stadium 974 in Doha, Qatar, Nov. 30, 2022. (Xinhua/Han Yan)
The German goalkeeper had to leave the pitch at the end of the first half of Barca's 5-1 win away to Villarreal on Sunday night. Later the club informed in the official statement that the player "has a complete rupture of the patella tendon in his right knee."
FC Barcelona is urgently looking for a replacement with Inaki Pena as their first choice in goal for the foreseeable future and B-team goalkeeper Ander Astralaga as back-up.
According to the Spanish media, the number one target is Szczesny. In August, the 34-year-old terminated his contract with Juventus and announced his retirement from professional football.
"My body still feels ready for challenges, but my heart is not there anymore. I feel that right now it is time to give all of my attention to my family," he explained in a statement.
However, after receiving an offer from Barcelona, the Pole is seriously considering returning to the pitch. According to a Xinhua source, Szczesny is in advanced negotiations with the Catalan club.
"I hope Marc-Andre ter-Stegen will recover soon. He is a great man and a great goalkeeper. That's all I can say at the moment," Szczesny said in an interview with the Spanish press "Mundo Deportivo" on Wednesday.
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