Analysing Barcelona’s options to replace Lewandowski and identifying the best fit | OneFootball

Barcelona are entering a decisive period in their long-term planning. 

Robert Lewandowski’s contract runs until 2026, yet the club can no longer delay the conversation about what comes next. 

The Polish striker is still capable of delivering key moments, but the reality is that the team needs a successor who can lead the frontline for the next cycle. 

With Hansi Flick pushing for a more fluid, intense and physically demanding approach, the identity of the next No. 9 matters more than ever. 

As of November 2025, the shortlist has steadily narrowed to four names, namely, Harry Kane, Julian Alvarez, Karl Etta Eyong, and Serhou Guirassy, each offering a completely different pathway for the project that Barça want to build.

This article takes an analytical, slightly subjective look at the pros and cons of each candidate, the financial implications involved, and which profile ultimately makes the most sense for the club.

Harry Kane – The proven but short-term guarantee

The idea of signing Kane would have sounded fanciful a few years ago, but the situation today is surprisingly realistic. 

Harry Kane is not a long-term fit. (Photo by Leonhard Simon/Getty Images)

Kane’s contract at Bayern contains a release clause reportedly sitting at around €66m, and Bayern are not completely closing the door on negotiations should the player seek a new challenge. 

From a footballing perspective, Kane might be the most predictable option on the list and predictability, in this case, is a positive.

At 32, he remains one of Europe’s most complete centre-forwards, as his finishing is elite, his movement remains clever, and his ability to act as a second playmaker in the final third could complement the team. 

For a coach like Flick, who values structured possession but also verticality, Kane would slot in immediately without requiring a season of adaptation.

But there are unavoidable drawbacks. His age alone makes him a short-term signing, at best offering two or three seasons at the very top. 

His salary at Bayern is substantial, and Barcelona’s wage structure is already stretched thin. 

Any move for Kane would only make sense if the club see him as a “bridge signing” – someone who plugs the gap while waiting for a younger striker to mature.

He is the most predictable option, but also the least aligned with Barça’s long-term sporting direction.

Julian Alvarez – The premium, high-ceiling investment

Julian Alvarez would be very expensive. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

From a purely footballing perspective, Alvarez is perhaps the dream option for Barcelona. 

Now in his mid-20s and entering his prime, Alvarez has evolved into a player capable of influencing matches across multiple zones of the pitch. 

For Atletico Madrid, he has been both a scorer and a creator, and crucially, a relentless presser, something Flick values enormously.

Alvarez offers what none of the others on this list provide – a modern No. 9 who can score, combine, drift wide, defend from the front, and create space for more static forwards. 

If Barcelona want to return to a fluid front three similar to the days when Messi, Neymar and Suarez constantly interchanged roles, Alvarez would be the closest stylistically.

But talent has a price. Reports across Europe estimate his fee at around €150 million, and Atletico will not hesitate to demand that figure, or more, from Barcelona. 

The club’s financial situation makes this operation extremely complicated. Selling to a direct league rival is already delicate and doing so at a “reasonable” price is nearly impossible.

Still, if money were no obstacle, Alvarez would be the signing that sets the tone for Barcelona’s next decade. 

He is a long-term replacement, but also someone who can lift the entire frontline from day one.

Karl Etta Eyong – The long-term gamble with huge upside

Of the four names, Etta Eyong is the one that forces the deepest reflection. 

Etta Eyong needs refinement. (Photo by Rafa Babot/Getty Images)

His profile is almost the opposite of Kane’s or Alvarez’s, which is raw, explosive, unpredictable, and still far from polished. 

Yet there is something undeniably intriguing about him. The Cameroonian striker has shown at Levante that he possesses physical attributes Barça simply do not have in their attack.

Financially, he is the cheapest by a wide margin. 

His contractual situation is complex, involving clauses shared between Levante and Villarreal, but the most reliable estimates indicate that Barcelona could acquire him for between €15 million and €30 million depending on how certain clauses trigger. 

For a club that desperately needs to find value in the market, Eyong represents the closest thing to a hidden gem.

But the risk is equally clear. He is not ready to become Barcelona’s starting striker tomorrow. 

His first touch, decision-making, and movements inside the box need refinement. If Barça sign him, they must also commit to his development, whether that means minutes off the bench or a strategic loan.

He could, in time, become the most profitable signing of the lot. But he could just as easily fail to make the jump to elite football. 

Serhou Guirassy – The balanced, realistically achievable pick

If Barcelona want reliability without paying the premium required for Alvarez, Serhou Guirassy is the name that strikes the middle ground. 

By 2025, Guirassy has firmly established himself as one of the Bundesliga’s deadliest finishers. 

Serhou Guirassy is a realistic target. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)

At Borussia Dortmund, he has combined power with intelligent movement, and his efficiency inside the penalty area has been exceptional.

For Barcelona, he brings two things the current squad lacks: physical dominance and direct goal threat. 

His finishing numbers are consistently high, and his ability to bully centre-backs could open space for runners like Lamine Yamal or Raphinha. 

The financial aspect is where Guirassy becomes particularly attractive. His contract reportedly contains a €65m release clause, a fee significantly lower than Alvarez’s but attached to a player who is already proven at the elite level. 

At 29, he would offer a solid three to four seasons without the risks associated with teenagers like Eyong.

He may not be the most glamorous name, but he is perhaps the most practical.

Which one should Barcelona choose? – A clear ranking

After assessing the four profiles, both from a sporting and financial standpoint, the concluding hierarchy becomes relatively clear.

Best all-round sporting fit – Julian Alvarez

If Barcelona had the budget and political leverage to execute the transfer, Alvarez would be the ideal successor. He fits the modern No. 9 archetype perfectly.

Most realistic and balanced option – Serhou Guirassy

A guaranteed performer at a reasonable cost. He represents stability and competitiveness without financial chaos.

Best long-term value – Etta Eyong

High potential, low cost. Not a starter today, but a future pillar if developed correctly.

Useful but not future-proof – Harry Kane

An excellent player, but his short-term nature makes him more of an emergency solution than a project leader.

Barça Universal’s conclusion

Barcelona must avoid repeating past patterns of chasing big names without a long-term vision. 

Lewandowski’s successor must not only score goals but also fit the club’s trajectory — younger, more dynamic, and capable of growing with the team. 

Alvarez is the dream, Guirassy the compromise, Eyong the investment, and Kane the temporary fix.

If the club can balance ambition with realism, the next era of Barça’s attack may yet be built with the precision it deserves.