Barcelona sporting director Deco has expressed confidence that goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny will stay at the club beyond this season.
The Catalan giants could still win a treble under boss Hansi Flick, with the team first in La Liga, in the final of the Copa Del Rey and in the semi-finals of the Champions League.
However, Barca have not always found the 2024-25 season easy to navigate, especially as first-choice goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen suffered a serious knee injury in October last year.
The club reached an agreement to bring Szczesny out of retirement in October, a month after the former Arsenal shot-stopper had hung up his boots.
The 35-year-old has impressed during his time in Spain, but despite Ter Stegen nearing a return, sporting director Deco insisted that Barca are hoping to keep Szczesny, telling reporters: "He was a player who we knew had a lot to contribute. Then the credit goes to the coaches and the players themselves on a day-to-day basis. We are happy with him. He will surely be with us next season."
Barca's financial health is still reportedly poor, and they may not have had the opportunity to bring in a goalkeeper in the January window, so the signing of Szczesny for free has arguably helped save their season.
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How are Barca shaping up for the final stages of the season?
While Szczesny's signing has been a success, Flick will face a decision about whether to stick by him in the final matches of the season or whether to reinstate Ter Stegen between the posts.
Changing goalkeepers at this late stage could be risky, but if the German boss deems Ter Stegen to be his most reliable shot-stopper, then it would not be surprising to see rotation in goal.
Elsewhere, striker Robert Lewandowski has been ruled out for roughly three weeks, though Flick refused to be drawn on whether he would be available to play in the first leg of the Champions League semi-final tie against Inter Milan on April 30.
The veteran forward is the club's leading goalscorer having found the back of the net 40 times in all competitions, 10 more than Raphinha has managed.
If Barca can navigate the next few weeks without Lewandowski and keep themselves in the tie against Inter, then it would not be surprising to see them win multiple trophies.
Lewis Nolan
