Ex-Arsenal star 'approached by Barcelona' just a month after announcing retirement

Former Arsenal star Wojciech Szczesny could reportedly be lured out of retirement by Barcelona just four weeks after hanging up his gloves aged 34. The goalkeeper admitted he had lost his love for football after leaving Juventus at the end of last season.

But cash-strapped Barca are reportedly hoping to tempt Szczesny to reconsider that decision. First-choice shot-stopper Marc-Andre ter Stegen is set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines after rupturing a knee tendon during his side’s victory over Villarreal on Sunday.

According to Spanish publication Mundo Deportivo, Barca are considering a deal for Szczesny among their options, having decided to go into the free transfer market to replace Ter Stegen. A move for the former Real Madrid goalkeeper Keylor Navas is also understood to be under consideration.

Inaki Pena is Barca’s only other senior goalkeeper. While it is reported that the club’s coaches trust the 25-year-old, they also want an experienced option to replace Ter Stegen, who is also their captain.

It is claimed that Szczesny would be willing to come out of retirement after just a month to play for Barca. Reuniting with former Poland team-mate Robert Lewandowski could be a deciding factor in whether he accepts a move.

That is despite Szczesny retiring only a month ago. At the time, he claimed his ‘heart’ was no longer in football and that he wanted to spend more time with his family.

He said in a statement: “I’ve made friends for life, created unforgettable memories and met people who have made an incredible impact on my life. Everything that I have and everything that I am, I owe to the beautiful game of football.

“But I also gave the game all I had. I gave the game 18 years of my life, every day, without excuses. Today, though my body still feels ready for challenges, my heart is not there anymore.

“I feel that right now it is time to give all of my attention to my family – my amazing wife Marina and our two beautiful children Liam and Noelia.”

Szczesny left Arsenal for Juventus in 2017 after spending two years on loan at Roma. The former Legia Warsaw youth prospect made 181 appearances for the Gunners before falling out of favour under Arsene Wenger.

He played for Juve for seven years, making 252 appearances across all competitions for the Old Lady. The club agreed to terminate his contract a year early ahead of the 2024-25 campaign.