Barcelona President Confirms Contract Offer to Szczesny

Barcelona president Joan Laporta has said that the club has offered a new contract to goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny. Laporta spoke to TV3 about the club’s wish to keep the Polish player.

WHAT HAPPENED?

Laporta has shown the club’s desire to keep Szczesny, who joined them for free in October 2024. Laporta said, “We’ve signed Szczesny for his experience and we offered him a new contract.” The 35-year-old goalkeeper signed a contract until June 30, 2025. He had to end his retirement to replace the injured Marc-Andre ter Stegen. His performances have been so good that Barcelona want to offer him a two-year extension. Szczesny has yet to agree to the deal, however.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Szczesny was signed after Ter Stegen suffered a patellar tendon rupture last September. Since then, he has played 29 matches for Barcelona and has become their main goalkeeper. Despite Ter Stegen returning from his long-term injury, Szczesny remains in first place as the club gets closer to winning La Liga. Barcelona lead the Spanish league table, and their impressive win in El Clasico put them very close to the title.

Szczesny has made more than 500 professional appearances and played 75 Champions League games for the likes of Arsenal, Roma and Juventus. His experience has been invaluable for Barcelona during this challenging season. He has helped stabilize the defense as the team chases success at home.

WHAT SZCZESNY SAID

Szczesny spoke about the contract offer after Barcelona’s El Clasico win, but he emphasized that the choice will be made with his family. 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.” 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.” He plans to make his choice in the coming weeks, considering his children’s education and the idea of moving.

WHAT NEXT FOR BARCELONA?

The summer will see big changes in the goalkeeping department for Barcelona. Should Szczesny sign his new contract, he is likely to take the place of Ter Stegen’s backup. This could lead to current second-choice Inaki Pena being sold, with Espanyol goalkeeper Joan Garcia becoming a target for the club to raise competition for the starting role. Barca need just a few points to seal La Liga title that will be their first since their triumph in 2022-23 season.