Barcelona are on the verge of finalising a deal for Espanyol goalkeeper Joan Garcia, who is expected to replace Wojciech Szczesny in the squad.
Garcia emerged as one of the most sought-after goalkeepers ahead of the transfer window, attracting interest from clubs in both La Liga and the Premier League.
Mikel Arteta’s side had tracked him since last summer, with reports even suggesting Garcia had agreed a contract with Arsenal, but a deal never materialised.
The interest was renewed this summer, and Arsenal even made an offer for Garcia. But the player turned them down along with Aston Villa and Newcastle and has opted to join Barcelona.
Wojciech Szczesny celebrating with the league championship after winning it with Barcelona
Photo by Joan Valls/Urbanandsport/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Arsenal’s failure to sign Joan Garcia could impact Wojciech Szczesny
Garcia’s arrival at Camp Nou shakes up the goalkeeping situation for the Catalan giants.
With both Szczesny and Marc-Andre ter Stegen previously considered top options, they may now find themselves down the pecking order.
Reports suggest Szczesny could extend his contract for another year following an impressive season, but Garcia’s potential to be Barcelona’s first-choice keeper could push him down the ranks.
Arsenal could inadvertently end their former goalkeeper’s career, who had come out of retirement to join Barcelona in the first place after an injury to Ter Stegen.
If the Polish keeper falls out of favour at the Spanish club and is no longer required by Barcelona, he could once again retire from football.
Wojciech Szczesny’s illustrious career
Szczesny began his professional journey at Legia Warsaw before joining Arsenal’s youth setup in 2006.
He quickly made his way to the first team and established himself as their starting goalkeeper. After a few inconsistent seasons, he was loaned to AS Roma in 2015, where he thrived and earned a permanent move to Juventus in 2017.
At Juventus, he played a key role in helping the club win several domestic titles before leaving in 2023, initially announcing his retirement.
In a surprising turn, Szczesny returned to football last year with Barcelona, stepping in as a backup following ter Stegen’s injury.
Since then, he has been instrumental in helping the club secure a domestic treble in the recent campaign.
The 35-year-old has firmly established his legacy having played with some of the biggest clubs in Europe.
Whether he stays for another season, retires following the arrival of Garcia, or seeks regular playing time elsewhere still remains to be seen.