According to *SPORT*, FC Barcelona has made the strategic decision to pursue a new striker in the summer of 2026, intending to find a long-term replacement for Robert Lewandowski.
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**Strategic Planning Underway**
With Lewandowski turning 37 in 2026, club president Joan Laporta and sporting director Deco have started mapping out a succession plan for the striker position. Manager Hansi Flick supports the initiative and is reportedly looking for a quick, sharp, and clinical forward who fits his high-pressing tactics.
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**Player Profiles Being Monitored**
Barcelona is focusing on young talent with elite potential — ideally, players used to structured, positional play and who have already proven themselves in major European competitions or internationally.
Potential targets currently on the radar include:
* Alexander Isak (Newcastle)
* Evan Ferguson (Brighton)
* Julián Álvarez (Atlético Madrid)
* Erling Haaland (Manchester City)
* Marcus Rashford (Manchester United)
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**Why 2026?**
There are two main reasons for the delayed move:
1. The club wants to give Lewandowski one more full season under Flick’s guidance.
2. Barcelona expects greater financial flexibility under La Liga’s salary cap by 2026, which would help facilitate a high-profile transfer.
This summer, the club’s budget is already being stretched by efforts to sign players like Nico Williams and Joan Garcia.
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**Club Sources Say:**
> “The decision is firm. A world-class striker will arrive in 2026. It’s more than replacing Lewandowski — it’s about shaping the future.”
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**Barça’s New Era Begins**
The club has officially started preparing for life after Lewandowski, with big changes anticipated as part of a broader rebuilding project.
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