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Barcelona have reportedly drawn up a shortlist of five goalkeepers as options to replace Marc-Andre ter Stegen, including ex-Real Madrid man Keylor Navas. Ter Stegen had to be replaced by Inaki Pena after he was stretchered off with a serious knee injury in his side's game against Villarreal on Sunday (September 22).
Ter Stegen was in the news all week for his error in the UEFA Champions League defeat to AS Monaco. Hansi Flick, however, trusted his captain to bounce back and retained him in goal for the Villarreal game, where he suffered his injury.
A report from SPORT (via Tom Sanderson) claims that the Spanish giants are looking at the free agent market to pick up a replacement for Marc-Andre ter Stegen. The former Borussia Monchengladbach goalkeeper is expected to spend up to eight months on the sidelines, and the club has five free agents as its top options to replace him.
Former Real Madrid goalkeeper Keylor Navas is one of the names on the list, having been released by Paris Saint-Germain this summer. His ties to Real Madrid may make a move for Navas difficult as a former rival.
Another high-profile name on the list is former Liverpool man Loris Karius, who became a free agent after his contract with Newcastle United ended.
La Masia product Jordi Masip is one of the options available to the club, as is former Espanyol goalkeeper Edgar Badia. Former Werder Bremen goalkeeper and Czech international Jiri Pavlenka is the fifth option for the side.
Inaki Pena replaced Ter Stegen in goal against Villarreal but the club does not view him as a long-term option for the side.
Barcelona will be allowed to make an emergency signing outside the transfer window due to the peculiar nature of Ter Stegen's injury. They are only limited to free agents and these players must have a wage cap due to the club's financial problems.
Barcelona can trigger signing of ex-Premier League star following Ter Stegen injury despite ex-Real Madrid option
Barcelona can look beyond the available free agents, including former Real Madrid man Keylor Navas, to a former Premier League goalkeeper. This goalkeeper is none other than the recently retired Poland international Wojciech Szczesny.
Szczesny announced his retirement from professional football in the summer after his contract with Juventus was mutually terminated. The former Arsenal man had, however, been close to signing with Saudi Pro League outfit Al-Nassr before the deal fell through.
Barcelona will be looking for experience, and Szczesny has proven himself to be one of Europe's best goalkeepers over the years. His relationship with La Blaugrana star Robert Lewandowski in the national team may also prove crucial if the club opts to pursue a deal for him.
With Ter Stegen ruled out indefinitely, Hansi Flick and his side will be keen to sign a goalkeeper who can help them maintain their impressive start to the season.
Targeting Szczesny may prove to be a masterstroke, seeing as the Pole retired following a 73% save percentage 2023-24 campaign in Serie A.
