FC Barcelona is already working on planning for the next season, and one of Joan Laporta's top priorities is to find a replacement for Robert Lewandowski. Although the Polish forward remains the team's main offensive reference, his age and physical wear are concerning the management and Hansi Flick.
Now, an unexpected opportunity has arisen. Barça has closed a surprising swap with PSG, a move that has left Lewandowski speechless.
Barça Seeks a New '9'
Robert Lewandowski has had a great performance this season, scoring 31 goals in 33 matches. However, the Barça management knows that his cycle is coming to an end.
The Pole has a contract until 2026, but Barça doesn't want to wait until the last moment to find his replacement. They already tried with Vitor Roque, but the Brazilian hasn't fully convinced Flick, so they are now looking for another forward.
In this context, Joan Laporta and Deco have found the perfect opportunity. PSG is looking for a quality midfielder and has set its sights on a Barça player. In exchange, the Parisians offer a forward who isn't in Luis Enrique's plans.
The Farewell of a Key Midfielder
To close the signing of the forward, Barça has decided to include Frenkie de Jong, who has long been on PSG's radar. The Dutchman, although still an important player for Barça, hasn't renewed his contract. The management believes it's the right time to sell him before his value decreases.
Luis Enrique has insisted on his signing, as he considers him the ideal piece to strengthen his midfield.
In exchange for Frenkie de Jong, PSG has agreed to include Randal Kolo Muani in the deal, a French forward who hasn't managed to establish himself as a starter in the Parisian team. Kolo Muani is a fast, strong forward with great finishing ability, just what Flick is looking for in his new project at Barça.
The former Eintracht Frankfurt player arrived at PSG for 95 million euros, but hasn't managed to meet expectations. Now, the Parisian club is willing to let him go if they can strengthen their midfield with a player like Frenkie de Jong.
Laporta Already Thinks About the Future
When Robert Lewandowski learned about the operation, he couldn't help but be surprised. The Pole knows that his role in the team may be affected by Kolo Muani's arrival.
However, Barça doesn't plan to get rid of Lewandowski yet. The management's idea is for the Pole and the Frenchman to compete for the position, thus ensuring that the team doesn't rely solely on one forward.
This swap with PSG is a strategic move by Laporta. With Kolo Muani's arrival, Barça secures a young and quality forward for the coming years.
Additionally, freeing up Frenkie de Jong's spot will allow the club to balance its economy and avoid issues with financial fair play.
A Key Transfer Market for Barça
The next summer will be crucial for FC Barcelona. Joan Laporta knows that the team needs to strengthen and is willing to make significant moves to achieve it.
With this swap, Barça achieves two key objectives:
- Finding a forward for the future without needing to make a large investment.
- Freeing up salary mass and balancing the accounts.
- Now, it only remains to wait for the fans' reaction and see if Kolo Muani can meet expectations at Camp Nou.