John McDougall
Barcelona are being held up in their desire to sign goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny despite the stopper being a free agent.
The 34-year-old former Poland international announced he was retiring from professional football last month after his Juventus contract was cancelled by mutual consent, with the goalkeeper citing 'my heart is not there anymore' despite still feeling physically capable of playing.
However, there looks like there could be a U-turn on the cards owing to Barcelona number one stopper Marc-Andre ter Stegen suffering what has proved to be a season-ending knee injury in the recent win over Villarreal, leaving Hansi Flick's side light in that department.
Szczesny has since been offered a route back into football and confirmed he is seriously considering an offer which Barcelona have made to him.
Speaking to Spanish outlet Sport, he said: "I understand the difficult situation that has arisen for them after Marc-Andre Ter Stegen's injury and I think it would be disrespectful of me not to consider this option.
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"I have a lot of respect for Barca's history, it is one of the best clubs in the world."
Szczesny came through the youth team ranks at Agrykola Warsaw and Legia Warsaw, before joining Arsenal's youth system and eventually became the Gunners' first choice goalkeeper, winning the FA Cup twice with the London side.
Loan spells away from the Emirates Stadium to Brentford, then in League One, and Roma followed, before Szczesny made the move to Juventus in the summer of 2017 where he won three Serie A titles and a trio of Coppa Italia crowns.
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It appeared Szczesny had hung up his gloves permanently, but the stopper may well be coming out of retirement due to the opportunity playing for Barca represents.
When players are free agents, it is usually a fairly simple and straightforward process as there is no other club to negotiate and agree terms with.
And free agents can be signed outside of transfer windows at any point, so Szczesny is able to join the La Liga side despite the previous window closing at the end of August.
But though Barca appear to have all they need to get done to make the transfer happen, Relevo reports there are "technical problems with La Liga" which are holding up the move getting over the line, despite Szczesny being a free agent.
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And the report suggests it is financial problems, an issue which has impacted the Camp Nou club for the past few years now, are behind the lack of movement on the move, though it is hoped this will be resolved in October.
For now though, Barcelona will have to make do with Inaki Pena as the club's only senior recognised goalkeeper until the deal for Szczesny can be completed.