Barcelona can register Wojciech Szczesny for Champions League game

Barcelona look set to bring in former Poland, Juventus and Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny on a free transfer in the coming days. The Catalan side have the green light from Szczesny, and are currently working out a deal with Juventus to settle a €2m payout that he was due.

The Polish shot-stopper has restarted his fitness regime as of this Monday when he became aware that it was a possibility that he could be an option for the Blaugrana, and is currently training in Marbella as he awaits confirmation of a deal. His goal is to be back in shape as soon as possible, with their post-international break clash against Sevilla as a first tie he could be back for.

There has been some doubt as to whether Flick will continue with Inaki Pena as his number one, or switch to Szczesny once he is available. One thing that could work in his favour is that Szczesny could be available in European competition, where he has more experience than his Pena. Marca say that Barcelona registered Pena and Marc-Andre ter Stegen with UEFA for the Champions League, while youngsters Ander Astralaga and Diego Kochen were part of the ‘B list’ of youngsters, allowing them an extra spot which they can use for Szczesny.

Real Madrid legend Toni Kroos retired this summer after a glorious era at the top of the game, going out with an assist in the Champions League final. It could all have looked very different for both Los Blancos and the German midfielder though.

Kroos has revealed that the same summer he ended up signing for Real Madrid in 2014, he had agreed a deal to sign for Manchester United. During his most recent podcast episode of Einfch Mal Luppen, Kroos explained, as carried by MD, that had it not been for David Moyes’ sacking that same summer, he might have spent a decade at Old Trafford rather than the Santyiago Bernabeu.

“They sacked David Moyes, who I was still sitting with on my sofa in Munich. It was very nice for him to be sitting in our house with his wife. Then they hired Van Gaal and we both politely declined.”

It is impossible to know how history would have played out if Kroos had joined the Red Devils, but it certainly turned out alright for Kroos. Few will ever match his list of honours accumulated at Real Madrid, and very few will ever retire at such lofty heights. The 34-year-old has been a paragon of consistency during one of their two most successful eras ever.

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