Former Arsenal star ‘ready to end retirement for shock transfer to Euro giants’

A FORMER Arsenal star could be tempted out of retirement just four weeks after hanging up his boots.

The ex-Gunners favourite, who left the Emirates in 2017, confirmed his emotional decision in a statement last month.

Having played at the highest level, he admitted that he’d lost the hunger for the game, despite still being physically able at 34.

In his statement, he wrote: “I’ve made friends for life, created unforgettable memories and met people who have made an incredible impact on my life. Everything that I have and everything that I am I owe to the beautiful game of football…

“But I also gave the game all I had. I gave the game 18 years of my life, every day, without excuses. Today, though my body still feels ready for challenges, my heart is not there anymore.

“I feel that right now it is time to give all of my attention to my family – my amazing wife Marina and our two beautiful children Liam and Noelia.”

Just weeks after making his decision, however, Wojciech Szczesny may be tempted to return.

According to Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona chiefs are mulling over a shock move for the Polish goalkeeper.

The Catalan giants are looking to bring in a new stopper, after No1 Marc-Andre ter Stegen suffered a nasty knee injury against Villarreal last weekend.

Ter Stegen, 32, underwent successful knee surgery on Monday, and is expected to be ruled out for at least seven months.

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In the short-term, La Masia graduate Inaki Pena, 25, will take the gloves.

But Barca chiefs want to recruit a more experienced option.

Szczesny made 35 appearances in Serie A for Juventus last season.

Barca bosses hope that the allure of playing for another huge club could tempt him out of retirement.

Another factor could be talismanic Polish striker Robert Lewandowski.

The forward, 36, has a long-standing relationship with Szczesny, having played with him for his national team for many years.

In fact, the duo took to the field together as recently as the summer, when both featured at Euro 2024 in Germany.

Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano adds that Barca have approached Szczesny’s representatives CAA Stellar.

Should Barca fail to sign Szczesny, they could look to former Real Madrid goalkeeper Keylor Navas.

The Costa Rican, 37, is a free agent having left Paris Saint-Germain at the end of last season.

He rejected advances from Brazil and Saudi Arabia over the summer, and has remained fit by training at Costa Rican side Deportivo Saprissa.

Navas made six appearances in total for PSG last season, including four in Ligue 1, as he backed up first choice Gianluigi Donnarumma.

The 6ft 1in stopper was most recently a first choice during the second half of the 2022-23 campaign, which he spent on loan at Nottingham Forest.

Despite his history with Real Madrid, it’s claimed that Navas would have no qualms about joining Barcelona.

He is represented by agent Jorge Mendes, who has close ties with the Catalan club.

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