FC Barcelona Continues Planning to Strengthen Its Squad. With Hansi Flick and Deco at the helm, the club is working to find long-term solutions in several key positions. One of the major concerns is the attack, where Lewandowski remains the reference, but his cycle with the team won't last much longer.
The Polish forward, despite maintaining a good level, will turn 37 in August, and Barça is already looking for a reliable replacement. However, the club's economic situation limits its movements in the market.
The goal was clear: to find a young forward with an imposing physique and scoring ability. For months, Barça has closely followed a striker who seemed the ideal successor to Lewandowski. But now, everything points to his signing being impossible.
Arsenal Gets Ahead and Pays His Clause
The player in question has caught the attention of Europe's top clubs thanks to his performance in his current team. With an imposing presence, speed, and great finishing ability, he has become one of the most promising forwards on the continent.
Arsenal, aware of his talent, didn't want to wait. Mikel Arteta has given the order to speed up the operation, and the London club has decided to pay his release clause, close to 100 million euros.
With this move, the English team secures a forward for the present and future. Arteta is looking for a goal scorer capable of making a difference in the Premier League and competing for titles. Neither Gabriel Jesus nor Kai Havertz has fully convinced as the starting '9', and the Spanish coach wants a more decisive profile.
A Hard Blow for Barça
For Barça, this operation represents a significant setback. The blaugrana club had this forward on its wish list, but his signing depended on finding more accessible economic formulas.
Deco and Joan Laporta were confident in negotiating a transfer with deferred payments or including players in the operation. However, his original club has made it clear that they would only accept a cash offer.
With 100 million on the table, Arsenal closed the signing before Barça could react. The dream of seeing him at Camp Nou has vanished.
Barça Seeks Alternatives in the Market
Without options to compete with Arsenal in this operation, Barça must rethink its strategy.
Deco continues to explore other options, and names like Alexander Isak (Newcastle) or Gyökeres (Sporting de Portugal) are on the table. However, the club's room for maneuver is limited, and any signing will depend on prior sales and salary adjustments.
Meanwhile, as Barça reorganizes, Arsenal is preparing to announce the signing. Benjamin Sesko, forward from RB Leipzig, will become a new 'gunner' player after accepting the English offer.
Barça sees how its ideal forward for the future slips away to the Premier League, unable to do anything to prevent it.