Robert Lewandowski is reportedly facing the prospect of leaving Barcelona when his current contract concludes next summer. This comes amid indications that the Catalan club is unlikely to extend his deal as he approaches the expiration of his contract in June 2026. Despite having scored four times in just seven La Liga matches this season, Lewandowski has frequently found himself on the bench, leading the club to consider the necessity of bringing in a successor for the star player.
Barcelona appears to be taking a decisive stance regarding Lewandowski’s future, with sources from Sport suggesting that they are not planning to extend his contract when it expires. As a result, the 37-year-old striker could depart the club as a free agent after four successful years, during which he has significantly impacted the team’s performance. Over his tenure, Lewandowski has netted an impressive 105 goals across 156 games, including four goals this season that have showcased his continued prowess, with a notable standout performance featuring a brace during a late game appearance against Valencia in September that helped secure a dominant 6-0 victory.
One of the key factors influencing Barcelona’s decision-making is a projected reduction in their salary cap for the 2025/26 season. This financial constraint could severely limit Hansi Flick, the head coach, and sporting director Deco’s ability to offer contract renewals to prominent players. Furthermore, the club’s management has raised concerns regarding Lewandowski’s suitability moving forward, citing worries about his age, a perceived decline in on-field performance, and doubts about his capacity to maintain the same high level of pressing play as younger teammates. Interestingly, this scrutiny comes even after Lewandowski enjoyed a remarkable last season, where he scored 42 goals—his most prolific campaign yet—while also contributing to Barcelona’s triumph in La Liga, Copa del Rey, and Spanish Super Cup. His eleven goals in the Champions League were also noteworthy, leading the team to the semi-finals of that prestigious tournament.
This season, Lewandowski has been alternating with Ferran Torres in the central striker role, with Torres proving to be a dependable option for the team. However, the management seems to be casting a wide net for potential replacements for Lewandowski, as they eye talented forwards such as Julian Alvarez, Erling Haaland, and Etta Eyong. Additionally, reports suggest that Marcus Rashford could also be considered for the striker position, as the club evaluates its long-term attacking strategy.
As October has unfolded, Barcelona has faced a difficult start, most notably losing their unbeaten record in La Liga due to a heavy 4-1 defeat against Sevilla. This loss followed just days after a heartbreaking stoppage-time defeat to PSG, where Goncalo Ramos scored to hand Barcelona a 2-1 loss at their home ground, the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys, during their Champions League campaign. Such challenges underscore the mounting pressure on the team and highlight the critical nature of their current situation in terms of squad dynamics and future planning.
In light of these developments, Deco recently shared insights regarding Lewandowski and the broader striker situation within the team during an interview with Mundo Deportivo. He underscored the importance of a deliberate and measured approach, stating, “We’re not going to talk about renewals in October. We’re taking it step by step. He’s one of the best strikers of recent years, a top-level player. He’s helped us a lot. He’s scored more than 40 goals, but we will analyse it. It’s time to talk about getting injured players back.”
Furthermore, Deco offered a fresh perspective on the role of a traditional number ‘9’ in football, suggesting that an overreliance on a single striker might be a flawed strategy. He remarked, “You shouldn’t get obsessed with a ‘9’, you might be wrong. Maybe you can play without a ‘9’. It’s not the time to talk about signings. Ferran can play as a ‘9’. PSG, the European champions, won the Champions League without a striker. Talking about a ‘9’ is a bit of a mistake, even though there are good players.”
Deco emphasized that the club’s vision aims to reduce dependency on the transfer market. He stated, “We wanted a team that didn’t need to go to the market so much. When we renew, we also sign players. We have been able to avoid selling any important players. Many clubs would like to have these players. We have a championship team, a top-level team, that we need to improve. It’s better to go to the market more calmly.” These remarks reflect Deco’s commitment to a strategic approach towards building a competitive team capable of achieving sustained success, even as they navigate the inevitable transitions ahead.
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