The most sought-after piece for Barça's forward line

BarcelonaThe return of the Champions League quarter-finals to the Metropolitano highlighted, once again, one of Barça's major shortcomings: the absence of a reference centre-forward who doesn't raise doubts in the starting eleven. While it's true that Ferran Torres performed at a good level in Madrid in a position where he started to emerge at City with Pep Guardiola and has finally made his own at Barça, the sporting leadership is clear that the number nine position doesn't lie with the Valencian or Robert Lewandowski.

In fact, it's quite likely that neither of the two footballers will continue next season. Regarding the Warsaw striker, he has an offer from the club to extend for one more year, but with significantly reduced salary conditions compared to what he has received in the last four years as a blaugrana. Lewandowski, represented by Pini Zahavi – the same agent as Hansi Flick, who also manages Marcus Rashford's movements and has a great relationship with Joan Laporta – has the blaugrana president's commitment that, if he wants to continue for another season, he will be able to do so.

However, the renewal offer that the club has presented him is, according to consulted sources, "clearly a reduction" compared to the salary levels he has received in four seasons as a blaugrana. The salaries the Pole has earned have been – as revealed by Cadena SER – 20 million euros gross (10 net) in the first season, 26 million gross (13 net) in 2023-24; 32 million gross (16 net) in 2024-25 and, this last one, 26 million gross (13 net). Lewandowski, who will turn 38 on August 21st, has not yet communicated his decision to the club.

He wants to keep competing and knows that at Barça – where he has fluid communication with Flick – his role will diminish. The current feeling at the club is that he will not stay. Not because he has to accept a greatly reduced salary, but due to the desire to remain competitive in his final years of his career. Lewandowski doesn't want to be labelled a substitute. He also has to finalize the decision with his family. He owns a property in Garraf – in the municipality of Sitges – and feels comfortable in Barcelona.

Julián Álvarez, the most desired

The situation is different for Ferran, who has one season left on his contract, but Barça has already made its position clear to him: they have not presented him with any renewal offer. A large part of the club's intentions with the Valencian player involve using him as a bargaining chip in the summer. The footballer from Foios has the confidence of the national coach Luis de la Fuente and will play in the World Cup, a showcase that Barça trusts will work in their favor to profit from in the market. Ferran has always expressed his desire to continue, but right now he is waiting for the club to make a move, and Barça, by not offering him a renewal, has made its stance clear.

If the blaugrana entity needs to free up players 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 automatically solve the problems. More things are needed. By reaching 1:1, they can spend everything that comes into the caixa. But, equally, they need to sell to get the necessary income to sign. reaching the 1:1 rule does not automatically solve the problems. More things are needed. By reaching 1:1, they can spend everything that comes into the caixa. But, equally, they need to sell to get the necessary income to sign.

The most valued player is Julián Álvarez. Despite being the apple of president Laporta's eye and sporting director Deco's, the Argentine has a contract with Atlètic until 2030 and a clause of 500 million euros. Although he has never closed the door to coming to Barça –and, in fact, there are images of him from the past where his sympathy for the blaugrana colours is clear–, the mattress makers will not sit down to negotiate for less than 100 million. Julián arrived in Madrid two seasons ago for 75 million, plus 20 more in variables. If Julián wants to come to Barça, moreover, he will have to push to leave. "He has a contract," stated, simply and directly, Enrique Cerezo, president of Atlètic, two weeks ago.

Alternatives for the winger

So, departures remain key to tackling a forward renewal in which Rashford also does not have his continuity guaranteed. While it is not ruled out that the loan formula could be repeated, Barça has many doubts regarding the cost of the operation: the 30 million it would cost to keep him permanently and the salary of a player who is among the highest paid in the Premier League. The club is considering activating lower-cost profiles, with three footballers with a past in the academy as the main alternatives: Víctor Muñoz (22 years old), Jan Virgili (19), and Ez Abde (24). Barça holds pre-emption options on the latter two – it retains 40% of Virgili's rights and 50% of Abde's – while Madrid has one on the former.

Properly securing Lamine Yamal is the priority, while for the left-center-back position the chosen one is Alessandro Bastoni. Regarding João Cancelo, his desire is to stay at Barça permanently. The footballer has already communicated to his agent Jorge Mendes that he does not want to return to Al-Hilal. The Saudi club paid 25 million to City for his transfer and would release him for a figure around 15 million, but the war conflict in the Persian Gulf will negatively affect the football market in this part of the planet.