FC Barcelona has chosen which player it wants to replace aging striker Robert Lewandowski according to SPORT and Mundo Deportivo, which cited anonymous sources.
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FC Barcelona has chosen which player it wants to replace aging striker Robert Lewandowski according to SPORT and Mundo Deportivo, which cited anonymous sources.
The Pole’s contract expires on June 30 this year, and though him extending for another term can’t be ruled out, it is widely-expected that ‘Lewy’ will move on after four highly successful seasons in Catalonia.
At present, Ferran Torres has been doing a fine job of playing as the central 9 in attack as Lewandowski’s minutes are reduced, but Barca will still search for a marquee name which remains to be Julian Alvarez.
The Argentine had an outstanding 2024/2025 as Barca swept a domestic treble, and managed to score against it in the league and Copa del Rey semifinals.
His name had been on the lips of papers throughout the summer, though Barca’s financial situation meant that they could not entertain making a potential bid for an expensive Alvarez at Atletico Madrid.
Instead, the Catalans acquired Marcus Rashford on loan from Manchester United. And though the England international has featured more on the left wing under Flick, he can operate as a central targetman as well if required of him.
Alvarez’s stock was believed to have fallen at FC Barcelona
A poor performance by his standards, during a 3-1 comeback win for Barca against Atleti at the Spotify Camp Nou at the start of December, triggered reports of interest cooling off on the World Cup winner.
Yet board member Enric Masip indicated that might not be the case. “I would say yes, he’s a great player, a player with incredible quality and he is having a great season at Atletico,” Masip said just before Christmas, ahead of calling Alvarez “one of the greatest goalscorers in the world”.
Masip doubled down on President Joan Laporta’s claims that their club will soon be able to make big signings as in day of old too, adding: “The president said that Barça always have to be in a position to be able to sign whoever they consider to strengthen the squad, which I have no doubt will be like that after the homework we have done in the economic plan and especially with the issue of the squad and the salary balance that exists between young people and veterans.”
Alvarez is still FC Barcelona’s main target but won’t come cheap
With half a season left until the summer window opens, SPORT has reported that Alvarez remains Barca’s number one priority, as does rival Catalan publication Mundo Deportivo.
Given his status and the fact he is tied down in a contract until 2030, though, Alvarez won’t come cheap with some figures quoted for his transfer as high as $234 million dollars (€200 million).
Perhaps to bring that fee down, FC Barcelona could throw a bargaining chip like Ferran into negotiations.
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/tomsanderson/2026/01/20/fc-barcelona-has-reportedly-chosen-9-to-replace-robert-lewandowski/
