Ferran Torres has the frying pan by the handle, Lewandowski not so much

BarcelonaAlthough the accelerator will not be pressed until the League is mathematically sealed, which could happen on Sunday by winning or drawing against Real Madrid, the Barça sporting management, led by Deco, has been working for some time to strengthen Hansi Flick's squad. The coach will renew his contract and, despite having a written agreement 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 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 believes there must be improvements to be able to win the Champions League," they tell ARA from the Ciutat Esportiva. He has asked for signings – a centre-forward and a centre-back, with special emphasis –, but he will also be understanding if there are no major improvements.The efforts will focus on the center forward position, with the "mattress" Julián Álvarez as a 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 on year after year and that today in the noble offices of the club they are "optimistic" about the possibility of finally achieving it. If the entity needs to free up player registrations and salary space, it is because, even if the numbers add up at the end of the season, reaching the 1:1 rule does not imply solving all the problems, but only being able to have the option to spend what comes into the coffers. But it is still necessary to sell to obtain the necessary income to sign. The sports 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 demonstrated 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 another season, he knows he can. He also knows, however, that at Barça his role will decrease. He will turn 38 on August 21, and although he remains a useful profile –as he showed with the 0-1 on Saturday against Osasuna– the feeling at the club right now is that he will not continue. The final decision, however, has not yet been made.

In Italy he could continue competing in the European elite, but he would not receive an economic offer much better than what Barça is offering him. If he wants to sign his last big contract, he has to 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 property 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 the national team coach Luis de la Fuente and will play in the World Cup, a showcase that Barça hopes will work in their favor to profit from in the market.

However, as ARA has been able to learn, 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 verify, the Valencian player is determined to fulfill his contract and, if necessary, leave for free when his contract ends next season. He has a prominent role within the locker room and this season he has had good performances, such as in the second leg of the Champions League semi-finals against Atlético de Madrid.

The situation of Julián Álvarez

The main objective to reinforce the center forward position is Julián Álvarez. Despite being Laporta and Deco's darling, the Argentine has a contract with Atlètic de Madrid until 2030 and a 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 that clearly show his sympathy for the blaugrana colors–, the Mattress makers will not sit down to negotiate for less than 100 million. It also doesn't help that Mateu Alemany is the strong man in sports at Atlètic. The relationship of the Mallorcan with the current managers of Barça is not the best.

Julián arrived in Madrid two seasons ago for 75 million fixed and 20 variable. 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 from his circle comment that he would like to wear blaugrana. "He has a contract," says Enrique Cerezo, president of Atlètic, succinctly, whenever asked about the matter.