‘Here we go’ – Fabrizio Romano: Star player who held talks to join Arsenal now off to Barca | OneFootball

There is a deal in place for Polish goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny, who snubbed Arsenal in the summer, to join Barcelona as a free agent, according to Italian transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.

The 34-year-old held talks to join Arsenal as their second-choice goalie, but he changed his mind and retired after terminating his contract with Juventus.

However, Szczesny will now come out of retirement to sign for Barca and replace Marc-Andre ter Stegen on a one-year contract after the German sustained a long-term injury a few days ago.

The former Poland international spent 11 years on the books of Arsenal after joining the club’s academy as a teenager, leaving after 181 appearances in the summer of 2015 for AS Roma.

A return to the North London club would have been incredible for Szczesny, but being on the bench did not appeal to him.

He will get the chance to play regular football at Barcelona until Ter Stegen returns to full fitness, and he could get to play against Arsenal this term if both teams meet in the knockout stages of the Champions League.

The Gunners eventually brought in Neto from Bournemouth to replace Aaron Ramsdale, with Tommy Setford becoming their third-choice goalie despite initially arriving as an academy signing.

Arsenal host Bolton Wanderers in the third round of the Carabao Cup tonight and 16-year-old goalie Jack Porter is expected to play.

Neto is cup-tied having played in the competition this season before joining the North London club, while both Raya and Setford are currently unfit.