In the corridors of Camp Nou, quiet yet decisive discussions are taking place regarding the future of one of the team’s most crucial positions, especially in light of the approaching end of the career of a star who has made a significant impact in recent years.**
Barcelona’s management is closely monitoring the situation and preparing for a possibility that is no longer as distant as it once seemed, amid attempts to secure the ideal replacement before it’s too late.
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The discussion is no longer theoretical; it has entered a practical planning phase, including technical approval, financial evaluation, and even preliminary, unannounced contact with relevant parties.
So, who is Barcelona’s chosen player to lead the attack in the future, and why now?
The name at the forefront of the internal debate is Julián Álvarez, the Atlético Madrid striker and the most prominent candidate to potentially succeed Robert Lewandowski.
The Argentine star is a strategic target for Joan Laporta’s administration, thanks to his versatility, intelligent pressing, sharp scoring instincts, and international experience. These qualities make him an ideal fit to lead Barcelona’s attack in the post-Lewandowski era.
With Lewandowski’s contract set to expire in the summer of 2026, the club believes Julián will be at the peak of his career at age 26, which would allow him to become an attacking leader for years to come.
According to sources close to the club, German coach Hansi Flick has already given the green light for the deal. He is convinced that Álvarez is not merely a replacement, but a “qualitative addition capable of leading a comprehensive offensive project” that could restore Barcelona’s competitiveness both domestically and in Europe.
However, the biggest obstacle to the deal remains the financial aspect. Atlético Madrid does not appear willing to part with their star player easily, especially since his release clause is close to €100 million. Nevertheless, within the Catalan leadership, there is a growing sense that the player is worth the risk.
Laporta, who remains committed to investing in key positions, has informed those close to him that he is prepared to take extraordinary steps to sign Álvarez. The Catalan president points to Lewandowski’s successful signing as a model of how one player can transform a team from day one.
Behind the scenes, informal preliminary contacts with the player’s entourage have already begun. The deal is expected to gradually mature as 2026 approaches, which could be the year Lewandowski departs and Álvarez arrives as the “new spearhead” of Barcelona’s attacking line.
If an agreement is reached, Julián Álvarez could become the cornerstone of a future project that not only succeeds Lewandowski’s era but also gives Barcelona a powerful push back toward the top.
Until then, everything remains behind the scenes, but the intention is clear, the direction is set, and the priorities are in place.
