Robert Lewandowski’s days at Barcelona appear to be coming to an end. Although the Polish striker’s numbers are still fairly satisfactory, his performances are beginning to decline over time. For Deco, the club’s sporting director, the priority is clear: this season should be Lewandowski’s last as Barcelona’s attacking leader.
At Barcelona, it is believed that relying on Lewandowski in the long term is not sustainable. Despite scoring goals and leading the team’s attack since joining, the physical demands of the role, in addition to his advanced age, are starting to affect his performances. Deco, in collaboration with the technical staff led by Hansi Flick, believes that the time has come to make a change in the team’s attacking line, with the focus on bringing in a younger, more dynamic player who better fits the current style of play.
According to information from the Spanish newspaper “El Nacional”, regarding Lewandowski’s alternatives, Laporta is already working on identifying the available options. One of the most prominent names on the list is Viktor Gyökeres, the Swedish striker who is performing well in the English Premier League.
At 26, Gyökeres is the ideal option for Barcelona thanks to his youth, physical strength, technical skills, and ability to link up with the attack. Additionally, his price would be more reasonable compared to other options on the market.
Another name on the list is Newcastle striker Alexander Isak, who has also caught the attention of Hansi Flick and Laporta. Isak is known for his ability to play in multiple attacking positions, but signing him would be more complicated given the high cost of the transfer from the English club.
Between the two options, Gyökeres seems to be the most likely. Laporta believes that his style of play fits perfectly with Flick’s philosophy, which focuses on mobility, high pressing, and creating space. Furthermore, Gyökeres’ reasonable price would give Barcelona the opportunity to address other needs in the transfer market.
Lewandowski’s departure would mark the end of an important phase, but Barcelona is convinced that this move is necessary to maintain their competitiveness at the highest level. With Lewandowski still under contract, his future will largely depend on the offers that may come next summer. At the moment, it is clear that Deco has a solid plan and does not intend to waste time implementing it.