Barça Clearly Needs to Strengthen the Forward Line for Next Season. The club is working intensively on planning signings for the summer, and one of the top priorities is to bring in a new forward to expand the team's offensive options. Hansi Flick has conveyed to the sports management his concern about the lack of high-level replacements in attack.
Currently, he only has Ferran Torres, Raphinha, Lamine Yamal, and Robert Lewandowski as regular players in those positions. Despite the quality of these footballers, Flick considers the bench depth insufficient, especially considering a long season.
Lewandowski Will Stay, at Least, Until 2026
In the '9', Robert Lewandowski will continue wearing the Barça jersey, at least until 2026, when his contract expires. The Polish forward, at 36 years old, remains a reference in the opponent's area and a leader in the locker room. The club values his professionalism and work ethic, and they trust that he still has much to contribute.
However, Barça is also aware that they can't rely solely on Lewandowski. His age and accumulated physical wear make it unfeasible for him to play every minute in all competitions. Therefore, the Catalan entity wants to sign a forward who not only gives him rest but can also be his direct competition.
The Footballer on Barça's List
In this regard, according to 'El Nacional', Barça is very alert to Samu Aghehowa, a young forward from Porto, formerly of Atlético, who is gaining prominence in Europe. His youth, projection, and playing style make him a very interesting option for the blaugrana club. It is not just a signing for the present but a medium-term investment.
At Barça, they see him as the possible heir to Lewandowski, with time to grow, adapt, and gradually take on responsibilities. Samu stands out for his speed, power, and goal-scoring instinct, qualities that fit with the playing philosophy Flick wants to implement. Additionally, his signing would be more affordable than other options, allowing Barça to operate with more leeway within the imposed limits.
More Affordable Than Alexander Isak and Gyökeres
The great advantage of Samu Aghehowa is that his cost would be much lower than that of other forwards who are also highly favored by the club, such as Alexander Isak or Viktor Gyökeres. Both are established players in European soccer, with outstanding goal-scoring figures and proven performance, but their market price is around 100M.
In contrast, Samu represents a more manageable investment with room for appreciation. In times of financial restrictions, Barça needs to balance sporting ambition with economic realism, and Aghehowa could be the perfect piece to achieve this. The club continues to gather reports and doesn't rule out making a move soon to secure his signing before other major European clubs get ahead.