WARSAW, Sept. 25 (Xinhua) -- 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.

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. Enditem

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