Barcelona have reportedly been given permission to register Wojciech Szczesny as a replacement for the stricken Marc-Andre ter Stegen, despite being outside of the transfer window.
The Barca number one ruptured the patella tendon in his right knee during their 5-1 win over Villarreal just over a week ago, and has been ruled out for the rest of the season.
It is expected that it will be at least eight months until Ter Stegen can return to full training, leaving Barcelona with a conundrum about what to do regarding that position for the campaign.
As the Catalonian side's first-choice keeper for eight years, Ter Stegen has made 419 appearances, missing just 28 league matches across the near-decade-long spell in goal, since taking over from Claudio Bravo.
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Szczesny deal finally able to go through
In order to get Szczesny signed, though, Barcelona had to submit numerous different documents and gain permission from La Liga for the transfer to go ahead.
Mundo Deportivo claim that everything is now in order though, and the transfer can take place, as Szczesny was pictured arriving at the Barca training ground early on Monday.
The additional costs of signing another player can be waived under certain circumstances, and there are strict guidelines which say that a player, not employed by any other club, has to be signed within 30 days of the player's injury that they are replacing.
La Liga also request the medical forms which prove the severity of the player's injury, which will then be reviewed by members of a Medical Commission.
Those reports have now been ratified, and mean Barcelona can go ahead with the registration of Szczesny, who has already reportedly agreed to join the club.
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Szczesny to sign one-year deal at Barcelona
The Polish stopper announced something of a surprise retirement over the summer, having been Juventus' number one keeper last season.
Szczesny was also between the sticks for his national team at Euro 2024, but after leaving the Bianconeri, the 34-year-old decided to call time on his playing career in late August.
Barely a month later, though, and the ex-Arsenal man is set to make a return to the field, and fill in for Ter Stegen for the rest of the season.
Barcelona have Inaki Pena in their ranks, and the youth graduate has been the one to deputise since Ter Stegen's unfortunate injury, but he may be demoted back to second choice when the Szczesny deal is confirmed.
Andrew Delaney
