Ferran Torres has the upper hand, Lewandowski not so much

BarcelonaThe accelerator will not be pressed until the league is mathematically sealed, something that could happen on Sunday if they beat or draw with Real Madrid. For some time now, the Azulgrana sporting management, led by Deco, has been working to strengthen Hansi Flick's squad. The coach will renew his contract and, despite having a written commitment until June 30, 2027, Joan Laporta has asked him to extend it for at least one more year, until 2028.The coach will agree to most of the requests because he feels strong enough to continue leading a project he considers a winner despite the lack of resources. "He has a lot of faith in the squad, but he believes there must be improvements to be able to win the Champions League," they tell ARA from the Sports City. He has asked for signings –a center forward and a center-back, with special emphasis–, but he will also be understanding if there are no major improvements.Efforts will focus on the center-forward position, with the mate Julián Álvarez as the desired reinforcement. But it will not be enough to reach the 1:1 rule from July 1, a fundamental objective that Barça has been dragging from season to season and which today in the club's noble offices they are "optimistic" about the possibility of finally achieving it. If the entity needs to free up slots and salary cap space, it is because, even if the numbers add up at the end of the season, reaching the 1:1 rule does not mean solving all the problems, but only being able to have the option to spend what comes into the coffers. But sales are still necessary to generate the income needed to sign. The sporting management considers that at least Robert Lewandowski or Ferran Torres will have to leave the team. There is no space for both in next season's squad.

The situation of Robert Lewandowski

as he showed with the 0-1 on Saturday against Osasuna

If Lewandowski, represented by Pini Zahavi –the same agent as Flick, who also manages Rashford’s movements and has a great relationship with the president-elect–, wants to continue for one more season, he knows he can. He also knows, however, that his role at Barça will diminish. On August 21st he will turn 38, and although he remains a useful profile –as he showed with the 0-1 on Saturday against Osasuna– the current feeling at the club is that he will not stay. The final decision, however, has not yet been made.

In Italy he could continue competing in the European elite, but he would not receive a much better financial offer than what Barça is offering him. If he wants to sign his last big contract, he must go to Saudi Arabia, an alternative that the Catalan club does not rule out. He has to finalize the decision with his family. He owns a farm in Garraf –in the municipality of Sitges– and feels comfortable in Barcelona.

Ferran Torres does not want to leave Barça

Ferran's situation is different, as he has one season left on his contract, but Barça has not yet presented him with any offer to renew. A large part of the club's intentions with the Valencian player involve using him as a bargaining chip. The footballer from Foios has the confidence of national coach Luis de la Fuente and will play in the World Cup, a showcase that Barça is confident will work in their favor to profit in the market.

However, as ARA has learned, if Lewandowski leaves, he will be offered a renewal. Ferran has always expressed his desire to continue and, as this newspaper has been able to ascertain, the Valencian player is determined to fulfill his contract and, if necessary, leave for free when next season ends. He has a prominent role within the locker room and has had good performances this season, such as in the second leg of the Champions League semi-finals against Atlètic de Madrid.

The situation of Julián Álvarez

The main objective to strengthen the center forward position is Julián Álvarez. Despite being the apple of Laporta and Deco's eye, the Argentine has a contract with Atlético de Madrid until 2030 and a release clause of 500 million euros. Although he has never closed the door to coming –and, in fact, there are images of him from the past where his sympathy for the blaugrana colors is clear–, the Mattress Makers will not sit down to negotiate for less than 100 million. It also doesn't help that Mateu Alemany is Atlético's strong man in sports management. The Majorcan's relationship with the current managers of Barça is not the best.

Julián arrived in Madrid two seasons ago in exchange for 75 million euros fixed and 20 million in variables. If he wants to come to Barça, he will also have to push to leave. Publicly, he has always been careful, but he has never closed the door, just as people around him comment that he would like to wear the blaugrana colors. "He has a contract," says Enrique Cerezo, president of Atlético, curtly and concisely, whenever asked about the matter.