“Let’s go” – Fabrizio Romano: Star player who was in talks to move to Arsenal is now moving to Barca
According to Italian transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, a contract has been signed for Polish goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny, who was rejected by Arsenal in the summer, to move to Barcelona on a free transfer.
The 34-year-old was in talks to join Arsenal as a second goalkeeper, but changed his mind and resigned after terminating his contract with Juventus.
However, Szczesny will now come out of retirement and sign for Barca, replacing Marc-Andre ter Stegen on a one-year contract after the German sustained a long-term injury a few days ago.
Wojciech Szczesny is going to Barcelona, let’s go! A contract has been signed for the Polish goalkeeper to join us as a free agent.
Szczesny will come out of retirement to sign for Barça, replacing ter Stegen on a one-year contract.
Medical tests will take place in Spain in the next few days. pic.twitter.com/FClO42e6Qg
– Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) 25 September 2024
The former Polish international spent 11 years at Arsenal after joining the club’s academy as a teenager, leaving the club for AS Roma in the summer of 2015 after 181 appearances.
A return to the north London club would have been incredible for Szczesny, but he did not like sitting on the bench.
He will get the chance to play regular football at Barcelona until ter Stegen is fully fit again, and he could also play against Arsenal this season when the two teams meet in the knockout stages of the Champions League.
The Gunners eventually signed Neto from Bournemouth as a replacement for Aaron Ramsdale, with Tommy Setford, despite originally joining as an academy signing, becoming their third goalkeeper.
Arsenal host Bolton Wanderers in the third round of the Carabao Cup tonight and 16-year-old goalkeeper Jack Porter is expected to play.
Neto is tied to the cup having played in the competition this season before joining the north London club, while both Raya and Setford are currently unfit.
