Barcelona face gridlock in their goalkeeping department at the start of 2026.
On the back of securing three trophies in his debut 2024/25 season, Hansi Flick bolstered his options over the summer, with a move for Joan Garcia from Espanyol.
That decision caused chaos at the club with returning captain Marc-Andre ter Stegen left out in the cold following his recovery from a knee injury.
The club utilised a La Liga loophole in October 2024, which allows teams to use up to 80% of an injured player's 'salary space' if they are sidelined for over four months, with Ter Stegen ruled out for eight.
Wojciech Szczesny was coaxed out of retirement as a free agent to fill the gap and the former Poland international played a vital role in Flick's success.
Szczesny usurped Inaki Pena as No.1, but the situation took a further twist at the start of the 2025/26 season, as Ter Stegen hit back.
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The Catalan giants wanted to use the same rule again to register Garcia, after more financial issues and Ter Stegen's decision to undergo back surgery, but he initially blocked the case.
Barcelona open disciplinary proceedings against the Germany international, before a resolution was reached, and Garcia's paperwork was completed.
However, the mess is far from wrapped up, with move fiscal movements getting Szczesny's own renewal over the line, as Pena joined Elche on loan.
Garcia's own latest injury has offered Szczesny a temporary route back into the first-team, but Ter Stegen is due back in January, and the saga could reignite.
Szczesny advises Ter Stegen over Barcelona future
Szczesny is realistic over his role as back up, but admits Ter Stegen will not accept that, and hinted at an exit being the best option for all parties at the start of 2026.
"It's not a pleasant situation. It was the same for me at Juve and I decided to retire. I don't advise the same thing to Marc, because he still has a lot to contribute to football," as per Mundo Deportivo.
"But, sometimes, in this job, you have to accept that decisions hurt you. The club decided to sign Joan as an opportunity to bring in a world-class talent who can play for Barca for the next 15 years.
"It must be frustrating for him [Marc] after being such an important player for so many years, but he's a very intelligent guy, and I think he understands that. It's not just a decision for the club now, but also for the future.
"We spoke a lot this summer and he understands. The most important thing for him now is to get back into shape, because he missed the entire last year."
Garcia is not due back from a knee issue until November and Szczesny will remain in between the posts as Barcelona return to action at home to Girona on October 18.
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