Latest developments
- Barcelona consider handing new contract to Szczesny
- Signed the Polish goalkeeper only two months ago
- Szczesny yet to make his debut for the Catalan side
Whisper+ analysis
Authenticity (3.5/5): Reliable source gives reasonable confidence
Within weeks after Wojciech Szczesny's arrival, Barcelona are reportedly considering offering him a new deal. Due to the knee injury sustained by first-choice goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen, the 34-year-old keeper decided to sign with Barcelona in early October, reversing his previous plan to retire from football.
The Pole has not yet played for the team, but according to MARCA, Blaugrana sporting director Deco wants to keep him on after the current season.
MARCA have a consistent track record with transfer talk and there is not much reason to doubt the authenticity of this report.
Value (4/5): Szczesny currently the lowest earner in the squad
Barcelona signed Szczesny for a very low wage in October after the injury to Ter Stegen, and the Polish keeper currently earns a wage similar to that of the likes of Marc Casado, Marc Bernal and Hector Fort.
As such, the club may be interested in offering him higher wages in hopes of convincing him to sign a deal till at least 2026 as his current deal is set to expire in the summer of 2025. The fact that Szczesny took this massive pay cut to join the Catalan club may indicate that he will want to extend his stay.
Suitability (5/5): Left-sided talent fits perfectly into back three
Szczesny has not yet started an official game for Hansi Flick's side this season, as Inaki Pena has continued to impress after Ter Stegen's season-ending injury.
However, the Polish veteran is said to be a very positive influence on the very young Barcelona dressing room and has quickly become one of the favourites in the backroom as he continues to push Pena to his limits.
It is expected that Szczesny may be given his first appearance for the club when Barcelona start their Copa del Rey outings and he could even feature in the Spanish Super Cup in Saudi Arabia.
Upgrade? (4/5): Barcelona wait for Ter Stegen to recover
While Pena has made a good start to the season since Ter Stegen's injury, he is known to be a very inconsistent shot-stopper and, at times, a risky ball player. As such, Barcelona may prefer to have Szczesny as a backup to the German keeper once he returns to action towards the end of the season.
Logic (4/5): Szczesny an upgrade on Lasia graduates
Pena himself may consider leaving the club next summer as he is unlikely to be given the number one spot following Ter Stegen's return. As such, Szczesny will be an upgrade on any keeper coming through from La Masia.
While age may not be on his side, the Polish veteran, who was retired two months ago, will be keen to make an impression on the Barcelona fans for however long he remains at the club.
Whisper+ final verdict – 20.5/25
The extension makes absolute sense to undertake for Barcelona as they continue to build under Flick. Keeping Szczesny as Ter Stegen's backup seems a no-brainer, especially with their financial troubles meaning that they are unlikely to be able to sign another keeper as they instead focus on the rest of the squad.
