Wojciech Szczęsny’s time at FC Barcelona could be nearing its end. The Polish goalkeeper has settled well in the dressing room, and accepted the substitute role with grace this season. But according to reports, the club is quietly weighing whether he should stay beyond June.
His contract runs until 2027, after a renewal last July that caught many by surprise. Deco and Hansi Flick were happy with what he had delivered, stepping up after Marc-André Ter Stegen’s serious knee injury, but the two-season
extension raised eyebrows given his age. Evidently, that deal also came with clauses giving the club flexibility once the long-term goalkeeping picture was clear.
Since then, Ter Stegen was loaned to Girona, Joan García arrived as the planned long-term starter, and Iñaki Peña went on loan to Elche. With those pieces in place, Barcelona are now considering a final adjustment. Sources cited by SPORT say the club can terminate Szczęsny’s final contract year, paying a compensation of around €2 million – far less than his original terms – should they decide to bring in another goalkeeper.
Szczęsny’s on-field role has diminished in his second season at Barcelona, after being a starter in his first season. He’s played nine matches this season, mostly when García was unavailable, but even in the Copa del Rey, a tournament often used to rotate keepers, Flick has preferred García.
The 35-year-old, however, has adpated well to the position of substitute goalkeeper.
“I am a substitute and I will continue to be, but I am not disappointed. I knew that my role was to prepare Joan García,” he said. His attitude has earned respect in the locker room and reinforced the club’s positive view of him. Still, if reports are to believed, Barcelona may be looking elsewhere for a backup keeper soon.
