Wojciech Szczesny’s potential move to Barcelona has emerged as a surprising development following Marc-André ter Stegen’s serious injury. The former Juventus goalkeeper, who had previously announced his retirement, is now set to make a comeback to top-level football. This unexpected turn of events is poised to benefit both Szczesny and his former club, Juventus.
Calciomercato report how the Polish goalkeeper’s decision to join Barcelona will likely bring a smile to Juventus’ financial department. When Szczesny and Juventus agreed to terminate his contract on August 14, which was originally set to expire on June 30, 2025, they negotiated a severance package of €4 million. This agreement was based on Szczesny’s contract, which was worth €6 million net annually (€12 million gross).
However, a crucial clause was inserted into this agreement. If Szczesny managed to find a new club on a free transfer, the severance pay would be halved. At the time, there were rumors of a potential move to Monza, though Szczesny eventually announced his retirement.
Now, with Szczesny’s imminent signing for Barcelona, this clause has been activated. As a result, Juventus will only need to pay €2 million of the originally agreed €4 million severance package. This represents a significant saving for the Turin club, effectively removing over €2 million from their expenses.
For Szczesny, this move offers an unexpected opportunity to continue his career at the highest level. After initially deciding to retire, the chance to play for a club of Barcelona’s stature in the wake of ter Stegen’s injury has proven too tempting to resist.
As this deal nears completion, it appears to be a win-win situation. Szczesny gets to extend his playing career with a top European club, while Juventus benefits from a reduced financial obligation. The official announcement of this transfer is expected soon, marking a remarkable turnaround in Szczesny’s career trajectory.
