FC Barcelona wants to regain its old strength: Why a change from Robert Lewandowski would be so important

Robert Lewandowski returned returned to FC Bayern training on Wednesday after his vacation. The big goal of Poland remains a transfer to FC Barcelona.

The almost 34-year-old should become the big summer transfer for the Catalans. The German record champions are apparently demanding at least 50 million euros plus bonuses, and the negotiations should stall.

But how important is a Lewandowski commitment really for the plans of Barça coach Xavi, who is turning his squad inside out? Three transfers (Kessié, Christensen and Raphinha) are already fixed.

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In addition to Lewandowski, Chelsea star César Azpilicueta, Jules Koundé (FC Sevilla) and Bernardo Silva (Manchester City) have other professionals on FC Barcelona’s wish list. Eurosport.de takes a look at the situation.

Robert Lewandowski should provide more goals

In any case, Barça coach Xavi seems to have a clear plan on how to lead his heart club back to the absolute top in Europe. Last winter, the former FC Barcelona professional signed two reinforcements in Ferran Torres (€55m/Manchester City) and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (free transfer/Arsenal).

Andreas Christensen and Franck Kessié followed on free transfers from Chelsea and AC Milan respectively. And on Wednesday, Barça said that a general agreement has been reached with Leeds United on a change from right winger Raphinha. The Spaniards are said to be paying a transfer fee of over 58 million euros. This should be able to grow to almost 70 million euros through bonus payments.

The big construction site is still the offensive. In the last league season, Barcelona only scored 68 goals. Most recently, the Catalans were worse in the 2003/2004 season (63). In the 2020/21 season there were 85 goals, a year earlier 86. In the last championship season 2018/19, the Barça attack also scored 90 goals. However, the record of the past ten years comes from the 2016/17 season with an unbelievable 116 goals.

Barça is now a long way from these best values ​​- and thus also from the titles. The last triumph was in the Champions League in 2015. Aubameyang and Memphis Depay were the top scorers last season with just 13 goals. A move from Lewandowski, who scored 50 goals in all competitions last season, could change that. Also the extension of Ousmane Dembélé, who signed until 2024 and is said to forego a large salarygives Xavi more options offensively.

Bayern star could be “the key”.

In Spain, however, a signing of Lewandowski is considered THE missing piece of the puzzle. Football expert Enrique Sánchez from Eurosport in Spain Explains: “He could be the key to the way the team plays. Xavi played with Luis Suárez as a nine at Barcelona and would probably want to play the same system with a similar player to Robert.”

If a transfer is not realized, Xavi can use Depay, Aubameyang, Ansu Fati or Torres. “But none of them are the same type of striker,” Sánchez noted.

Rarely is there an opportunity to sign a striker with Lewandowski’s experience and scoring rate. Therefore, Barça will do everything possible to find an agreement with Bayern. A quick deal would also be desirable for everyone involved. At best before the weekend, when the player presentation at Bayern and the start of the America tour from Barcelona are on the agenda.

Robert Lewandowski in training at Bayern Munich

Fotocredit: Getty Images

Barça heavily in debt: How big is the financial leeway?

But there is a question mark behind the financial situation of FC Barcelona. Because the club is actually heavily in debt (over 1 billion euros). Nevertheless, the Catalans spend millions, like Torres in winter or now Raphinha. Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano also recently asked the question in his podcast: “How Barça wants to pay Raphinha? I’ll be honest, I have no idea …”

However, income is also necessary in order to be able to register new players for the Spanish league at all. There is a so-called salary cap. Already in the spring, the Catalans exceeded the salary limit by 144 million euros. Departures are therefore unavoidable.

For Frenkie de Jong, who is under discussion at Manchester United, around 70 million euros are realistic. Depay could also be a sales option. Barça have already received 20 million euros for Philipp Coutinho. Another sale of TV rights is apparently pending. According to “Bild”, this could bring in around 400 million euros. Ten percent of the TV rights had already been sold at the end of June for 207.5 million euros. This first sum should pay off debts, the new income is said to be planned for the squad.

So there seems to be some leeway, at least financially, to make one or the other change. Lewandowski has priority in order to finally leave the goal low behind.

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