Barcelona are preparing for a busy summer, but much of the planning hinges on key squad decisions still hanging in the balance.
With Hansi Flick expected to lead the Catalan giants into a new era, the club are aiming to trim down the squad and reinforce weak areas — but not at the expense of depth in goal.
There has been growing uncertainty over the futures of both Inaki Pena and veteran shot-stopper Wojciech Szczesny, despite Flick’s decision to promote the latter as his number one earlier this year.
But the situation behind him has yet to be resolved — and now, Wojciech Szczesny has admitted he has not decided whether to stay at the club.
The 35-year-old, who came out of retirement to help Barcelona after ter Stegen’s injury setback, became an unlikely hero following his performance in the El Clasico victory over Real Madrid.
His emotional reaction at the final whistle sparked speculation about his future, and Szczesny has now revealed that a decision is still pending.
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Speaking to Canal+ via Mundo Deportivo, he said: “I’m not hiding the fact that I was offered a two-year extension, but I have to decide with my family what’s best for us.
“I think I owe it to my family, to my wife, to make these decisions together, so I haven’t made any yet.”
He added: “Most of the decisions about my home are made by my wife, and I’m not ashamed of that at all.
“I usually make the football ones, but it’s a very unusual situation… we were determined to come here for a year to try to achieve our dreams and then return to playing golf.
“I’ll decide in the coming weeks.”
Barcelona’s internal plan would see ter Stegen restored as number one, with Szczesny operating as experienced back-up — should he stay.
This could leave Inaki Pena out in the cold, with the 25-year-old’s contract set to expire in 2025.
Espanyol’s Joan Garcia has been linked as a long-term option, but if Szczesny signs, Barcelona are unlikely to pursue another goalkeeper in the upcoming window.
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