Robert Lewandowski is experiencing a season of ups and downs at Barça. With Hansi Flick's arrival on the bench, Lewandowski seemed to rejuvenate and reaffirm himself as one of the team's key figures, and in the first few months, he showed his usual goal-scoring instinct. However, as the season has progressed, his performance has declined in both goals and collective play.
In January, his level of play is clearly below expectations, which has caused concern within the club and among the fans. Despite his ability to score goals and his undeniable quality, Lewandowski hasn't managed to maintain the same level of consistency he showed in his first campaign. In this regard, the club has begun to plan for the future, as although the Polish player remains important, it is known that his time at Barça is coming to an end.
Deco Has a Major Priority
Barcelona's sports management is clear that the club's future depends on finding a center forward who can replace Lewandowski when the right time comes. Despite the Polish player's ups and downs, Barça doesn't want to wait until his situation becomes more complicated. In this regard, Deco and Laporta have Alexander Isak, Newcastle United's forward, as the main target for the next season.
Erling Haaland was Laporta's dream, but his renewal until 2034 has led Barça to focus on other forwards. Thus, Barça sees Alexander Isak as an ideal option to complement their attack and become the leader of the front line in the coming years alongside Lamine Yamal. Additionally, as an alternative to Isak, Deco also has Viktor Gyökeres, Sporting Lisbon's forward, in mind.
Both Isak and Gyökeres would be key pieces in the team's future, forming a young and talented offensive duo alongside Lamine Yamal, the La Masia phenomenon, and Raphinha. Barça knows it won't be easy but is determined to focus its resources on such a signing.
Laporta Dreams of a Power Move with Nike
Joan Laporta dreams of making a power move in the transfer market to secure the club's competitive future. In this context, the arrival of a forward like Isak would be the type of signing that would consolidate Barça's position in the European market and strengthen the current team.
In this regard, the money from the contract with Nike, which is expected to bring in more than 100 million annually, could be the key for Barça to achieve this signing. With those funds, the club could afford the cost of a world-class signing like Isak without compromising long-term financial stability. This contract, which is expected to be one of the most lucrative in the club's history, would give Barça the necessary margin to make significant moves in the market.
Lewandowski Activates the Clause
However, the arrival of a signing of the caliber of Isak or Gyökeres could be complicated by Lewandowski's situation. According to "El Nacional.cat," the Polish forward has activated a clause in his contract that allows him to stay one more year at Barça. This means that the club could be forced to keep Lewandowski on the roster until 2026.
The clause activated by Lewandowski could significantly influence Barça's decisions next summer. While the club is clear that it needs a long-term replacement for the Polish player, Lewandowski's stay could limit the options. In any case, Barcelona will have to make difficult decisions about Lewandowski's future to ensure the club's future.