Barcelona make bold Wojciech Szczesny contract decision ahead of La Liga debut

Barcelona are reportedly already planning for Wojciech Szczesny's future at the club beyond the end of the season.

The Catalan giants convinced Szczesny to come out of retirement in October as part of a free transfer move to the club following Marc-Andre ter Stegen's season-ending injury.

La Liga rules allow for emergency signings to be made following serious injuries - with specific exceptions for goal keepers - and Szczesny accepted Hansi Flick's offer.

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However, after his summer exit from Juventus, the 34-year-old has been without match action and Flick has kept faith with Inaki Pena as Ter Stegen's replacement.

Szczesny has utilised the international break to continue building his fitness to force himself into Flick's plans before the end of 2025.

Despite Flick's stance on Pena earning his spot, Szczesny is expected to feature in the coming weeks, with Barcelona in action across La Liga and the UEFA Champions League - plus the start of the Spanish Super Cup and Copa del Rey in January.

As part of a show of faith in his value as an experienced figure within the squad, reports from Marca indicate Barcelona are prepared to extend his short-term contract, which expires at the end of the year.

Despite not yet making a first team appearance, Barcelona are willing to offer the former Poland international a fresh deal, to stretch to the end of the 2025/26 campaign.

Ter Stegen is also rumoured to be making strong progress in his rehabilitation from knee surgery, with the 32-year-old potentially able to feature in the final weeks of the campaign, if he remains on track.