Barca are within the midst of considering their future placing choices, with Erling Haaland seen as a possible alternative for Robert Lewandowski.
Regardless of nonetheless main the road at 36 years outdated, Lewandowski’s profession is getting into its twilight stage… even when the Polish striker stays Barcelona’s prime scorer and a key determine within the group.
Nevertheless, the Catalan membership is aware of the necessity for a succession plan. Lewandowski‘s present contract may very well be prolonged if sure situations are met. Which means Barcelona have a while, however President Joan Laporta is already seeking to the long run.
The membership’s final purpose? To carry Erling Haaland to the Camp Nou, however that won’t occur till no less than 2026.
Lewandowski moved to Spain in 2022 and signed a contract that runs by way of the tip of the 2025-26 season. His first 12 months on the membership was extremely profitable, with the veteran ahead scoring 33 targets throughout all competitions.
Thus, serving to Barcelona safe their first La Liga title in years below coach Xavi. Nevertheless, final season was more difficult for Lewandowski, along with his lowest purpose tally because the 2014-15 season — netting simply 26 targets.
Regardless, since supervisor Hansi Flick took over, he has recovered and scored ten targets in 9 La Liga video games. The 36-year-old had additionally added two extra within the Champions League thus far this season.
The La Liga giants have already confirmed that Lewandowski’s contract consists of an computerized extension clause. In line with Joan Laporta, the membership will lengthen his deal by one extra 12 months if he performs in 50% of the membership’s video games through the ongoing season. “We’ll lengthen the contract of Robert Lewandowski as quickly as he reaches 50% of the video games,” he stated. This is able to tie the Polish famous person to the membership till June 2026, giving Barca time to plan for the long run.
Haaland: Barcelona’s dream signing for 2026
Regardless of the assured extension of Lewandowski’s contract, Barcelona president Joan Laporta has made no secret of his want to safe a marquee signing for the long run. His dream goal? Manchester Metropolis’s Erling Haaland, who’s extensively considered probably the greatest strikers on the planet. The Norwegian’s transfer to Barcelona, nevertheless, just isn’t an instantaneous risk.
In line with Florian Plettenberg of Sky Germany, the Catalan membership just isn’t actively in search of to signal Haaland. Neither the striker nor the Blaugrana are pushing for the transfer in the mean time.
Thus, any potential deal is no less than two or three years away. That timeline would align with the completion of Barcelona’s new Camp Nou stadium.
It should doubtless open totally in 2026, and Laporta hopes it’s going to draw followers in droves. A famous person signing like Haaland may very well be the right attraction for the membership’s subsequent period. He would enhance Barcelona each on the pitch and commercially.
Laporta reportedly believes that exterior components might make Haaland extra more likely to contemplate a transfer. These embody a possible exit by Manchester Metropolis supervisor Pep Guardiola and the looming risk of sanctions from the Premier League.
Nonetheless, as of now, there aren’t any formal negotiations or makes an attempt to safe the Norwegian striker.
Barcelona’s different attacking choices
Whereas Barcelona units their sights on Haaland as a long-term goal, the membership can be contemplating extra rapid choices to help Lewandowski within the assault.
One identify that has surfaced is Lille’s Jonathan David, a highly-rated Canadian striker who may very well be obtainable on a free switch subsequent summer season. David has been linked with Barcelona as a possible backup or perhaps a future starter to take a few of the workload off Lewandowski.
Moreover, the Spaniards have already signed Brazilian ahead Vitor Roque, considered as a possible successor to Lewandowski. Nevertheless, it seems that the group has put the plan to combine Roque into the primary group on maintain in the intervening time.
Photograph credit score: IMAGO / Sports activities Press Photograph
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