Barcelona hunt for Lewandowski replacement hit as key target decides to stay at current club | OneFootball

With Robert Lewandowski already 37 years old, FC Barcelona are searching for a replacement and has identified several high-profile options in the transfer market. However, one of their main targets, Harry Kane, has now ruled himself out, complicating Barça’s plans.

According to Bild (via SPORT), Kane has now informed Bayern Munich he will not activate his €65 million exit clause this summer and will remain with the German club for at least another season.

The English striker had until the end of January to use the clause, and although his camp explored various possibilities, Kane ultimately prioritized staying at Bayern. He has also ruled out a return to the Premier League or a move to Saudi Arabia despite interest from multiple clubs willing to pay his release clause.

Photo by Judit Cartiel/Getty Images

Meanwhile, the Blaugranes had also not made any concrete steps for the England international’s acquisition, mainly because they preferred to evaluate Lewandowski’s season before committing to a new striker.

With Kane unavailable and interest in Julian Alvarez cooling due to his price and irregular season at Atletico Madrid, Barça face a limited pool of top-level options.

Kane is reportedly planning to negotiate a contract extension with Bayern after the World Cup, potentially securing a one-year deal until 2028 as he aims to win major titles.

Meanwhile, Barcelona are considering a more future-oriented approach, potentially targeting emerging talents such as Cameroonian forward Etta Eyong.

For now, the Blaugranes must continue exploring alternatives while keeping their options flexible, balancing immediate needs with long-term planning to replace Lewandowski.