Wojciech Szczęsny is open to links with Barcelona amid the GK crisis

Former Juventus goalkeeper Wojciech Szczęsny has said he will listen to FC Barcelona's offer to come out of retirement after the Catalan club named him as their top target to replace the injured Marc-André ter Stegen.

ESPN revealed earlier this week that Barça are looking to sign a free agent to replace backup goalkeeper Iñaki Peña after Ter Stegen tore a tendon in his knee during Sunday's 5-1 win over Villarreal.

Given the severity of ter Stegen's injury – who underwent surgery on Monday and will be out for months – regulations allow the LaLiga leaders to sign an incapacitated player even if the transfer window is closed.

“I have great respect for Barça’s history,” Szczęsny told Diario Sport.

“They are one of the best clubs in the world and I understand the difficult situation they find themselves in after ter Stegen’s injury.

“I think it would be disrespectful not to consider that option (of signing).”

Sources have told ESPN that a meeting has been scheduled between Barça and Szczęsny's camp to negotiate the final details of what is expected to be a short-term contract until the end of the season.

Szczęsny, 34, left Juve at the end of last season and retired from professional football after two appearances at this summer's European Championships, where Poland were eliminated in the group stage.

Before joining Juve in 2017, where he made 252 appearances, he spent most of his career at Premier League side Arsenal, who he joined at the age of 16. He also spent time on loan at Brentford and AS Roma.

He was considered an option for Barça earlier this week after Ter Stegen suffered an injury that meant the end of his season as he is without a club.

The former Polish international would be competition for Iñaki Peña, who made 17 first-team appearances last season and replaced ter Stegen in the second half at Villarreal last weekend.

Peña, 25, will keep the gloves for Wednesday's LaLiga match against Getafe at the Olympic Stadium, before facing Osasuna and Young Boys in the league and Champions League respectively.