Barcelona’s Best-Case Scenario to Replace Robert Lewandowski | OneFootball

Going into the weekend, Hansi Flick’s training sessions have as many rostered spectators as they do active participants, or at least that’s how it must feel. Lamine Yamal and Fermin Lopez are back in group training and should be back against Girona. Ferran Torres is struggling with fatigue but could be back for the weekend. Raphinha is out until next week, Dani Olmo is out for 2-3 weeks, Joan García for 3-4 weeks, Robert Lewandowski for 4-6 weeks, Marc-Andre ter Stegen until January, and Gavi in March. Marc Bernal will be working his way back from the ACL injury for most of this season, and Pedri is displaying signs of fatigue. That leaves Marcus Rashford on loan and Roony Bardghji as the only 100% fit first team attackers and Frenkie de Jong and Marc Casado as the only 100% fit first team midfielders.

It’s still October, but the injuries piling up on a team that on paper has better depth than last season is showcasing how essential this upcoming summer transfer window will be for Barcelona. With Robert Lewandowski likely in his last season, Deco will have a ton of pressure to find the next great striker for the Catalan club. Big names don’t always fit in (looking at Zlatan Ibrahimović) but FC Barcelona has often relied on a star to lead the line, such as: Cesar Rodriguez, Quini, Romario, Ronaldo, Samuel Eto’o, Patrick Kluivert, Luis Suárez, and Lewandowski.

What follows below are some different scenarios for this summer transfer window. Barça will not have the funds for the best-case scenario at every position, and they may not even have the money for the best-case scenario at any position, but it’s important to understand the club’s needs and see who might solve some problems.

Marcus Rashford

It would probably be considered a worst-case scenario if making Rashford a permanent member of the Blaugrana is the only business done in the summer. His buy option is for a reported 30m euros, but insiders have hinted that Manchester United could be open to lowering that fee to finalize what has been a grueling saga for both parties. The best-case scenario is probably around 20m for a rejuvenated Rashford, as long as he can keep his current form throughout the season. For once, it does seem that Barcelona does have some negotiating leverage in the matter with the player choosing them over other suitors and the Red Devils having their hand forced to get rid of the unwanted player.

Best-Case Scenario

The best-case scenario is Erling Haaland. The Norwegian doesn’t score the variety of goals that Kylian Mbappé does, but there is no player in world soccer that you trust more inside the box when he gets adequate delivery. Pairing him with Barça’s ability to generate chances from the midfield and Lamine Yamal’s trivelas would be a match made in football heaven. He would fit in any XI team in the world, but at Barcelona he wouldn’t need to manufacture his own attempts like he would at most other clubs.

There is a reason he’s Joan Laporta’s dream signing. Norway isn’t a major market for jersey sales, but Haaland is a superstar. The big hurdle of course is signing him. The only way Barça find a way is if Pep Guardiola leaves Manchester City and Haaland forces his way out. Even under those circumstances, Laporta will have to find more than $140M buried somewhere under the new Camp Nou.

Next Best-Case Scenario

The next best-case scenario is Julián Alvarez or Hugo Ekitiké. They would both be a similar cost as Haaland without the guarantee of success. Alvarez isn’t the prototypical striker and thrives next to a proper 9, but the talent is there. The downside is that prying him away from Atlético Madrid considering what they paid for him might rival the fee for Haaland. At that number, the risk that he wouldn’t fit into a role as the lone striker feels like the type of move that sets the club back in the way that Philippe Coutinho or Antoine Griezmann did. An Atlético Madrid forward who isn’t a real striker – where have Culers heard that before? Griezmann may be a cautionary tale.

Hugo Ekitiké would only be an option as a loan if the player doesn’t appreciate being stuck on the wing next to Alexander Isak at Liverpool. Highly unlikely.

Sensible Scenario

The most realistic scenario could be a stop-gap option like Serhou Guirassy. The Guinean will be 30-years-old next summer and is reportedly looking to move on from Borussia Dortmund for another challenge. He put up a career year last season with 38 goals in 50 appearances for the German club, including 13 goals in the Champions League. This season’s expected drop-off hasn’t really happened yet, with 6 goals in 8 matches so far. Guirassy isn’t the flashiest pick, but he might be the only starting striker available next summer for anything less than $70M.

Worst-Case Scenario

The worst-case scenario is that there is no plan for next summer, and Barcelona goes into 2026-27 with Ferran Torres as their primary striker option and Rashford as the back-up. Oscar Gistau could have been the next big striker prospect coming from La Masia, but the 17-year-old will need some more time to develop after back-to-back seasons where he’s missing close to half the campaign due to injury.

But fear not Culers, even this worst-case scenario is not as dark as the scenario that saw Barcelona splashing on the loan of Kevin-Prince Boateng or moving mountains to bring in Martin Braithwaite. Solid professionals, but the next Samuel Eto’o they were not. The other two young options-that-could-have-been from recent seasons, Vitor Roque and Ansu Fati, are currently rehabbing their careers elsewhere. Even Real Madrid’s future superstar Endrick can’t find a minute under Xabi Alonso. Young strikers are hard to come by for the biggest clubs, which is why the name you can expect is a name you already know. Unfortunately, a name equals a number, and Barcelona’s best chance to replace Lewandowski is all down to the number.

For more Barcelona news and a look at a potential midfield target in Gilberto Mora, check out The Barcelona Podcast: