Former Juventus goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny has said he will listen to Barcelona's offer to come out of retirement after the Catalan club made him their top target to replace the injured Marc-André ter Stegen.
A source confirmed to ESPN that talks are well underway between Barca and Szczesny's camp to finalise the details of what is expected to be a short-term contract until the end of the season, but no agreement has yet been reached.
ESPN revealed earlier this week that Barca would look to sign a free agent to compete with back-up goalkeeper Iñaki Peña after Ter Stegen ruptured a tendon in his knee during Sunday's 5-1 win at Villarreal.
The rules allow the La Liga leaders to sign a player who is unemployed given the severity of Ter Stegen's injury – who underwent surgery on Monday and will be out for months – even though the transfer market is closed.
“I have a lot of respect for the history of Barça,” Szczesny told Diario Sport.
“They are one of the best clubs in the world and I understand the difficult situation they are in after Ter Stegen's injury.
“I think it would be disrespectful not to consider the option [of signing].”
Szczesny, 34, left Juve at the end of last season and retired from professional football after making two appearances at the European Championships in the summer as Poland exited the competition at the group stage.
Before joining Juve in 2017, where he made 252 appearances, he spent the majority of his career at Premier League side Arsenal, whom he joined as a 16-year-old, as well as enjoying loan spells with Brentford and AS Roma.
He emerged as an option for Barca earlier this week following Ter Stegen's season-ending injury, given that he is without a club.
The former Poland international could provide competition for Iñaki Peña, who made 17 first-team appearances last season and replaced Ter Stegen in the second half at Villarreal last weekend.
Pena, 25, will keep the gloves on for Wednesday's LaLiga game against Getafe at the Estadio Olimpico before upcoming matches against Osasuna and Young Boys in La Liga and the Champions League respectively.
