21-year-old Midtjylland forward attracts Barcelona attention after sensational start to 2025/26 season – Report | OneFootball

FC Barcelona have had a number of talented strikers who have worn the No. 9 jersey and scored prolifically for the club over the years. For the past few seasons, it has been Robert Lewandowski’s place.

However, with the Pole not getting any younger and in the final few months of his contract, there is a good chance Barcelona will start looking elsewhere to identify potential replacements for next season.

Replacing someone like Lewandowski with a single player is a near-impossible task unless his name is Harry Kane or Erling Haaland. Instead, Barcelona would be better off signing a ready product and a developmental bet, giving them better odds of success.

For that reason, Barcelona continue to expand its scouting network across Europe as the club looks for young and emerging talent that can strengthen the team in the coming seasons.

In recent weeks, a new name has been added to the list of potential targets. Franculino Dju, a 21-year-old forward from Guinea-Bissau who plays for Midtjylland in the Danish Superliga, has become one of the most striking revelations of the current campaign.

His rise has been swift and impressive, and his performances have not gone unnoticed among top European clubs, including FC Barcelona.

The young African striker has enjoyed a spectacular first half of the season with Midtjylland. Dju has scored 19 goals in 26 matches, including three in the Europa League, where he adapted immediately to the intensity of continental football.

According to Fichajes, Barcelona are among the clubs that have followed his progress. However, Barcelona’s complex financial situation forces the club to act with caution. The intention is not to participate in bidding scenarios that could inflate the cost of the operation.

Even so, the report from Fichajes suggests that there have already been initial contacts to better understand the player’s situation and future.

Signing someone like Dju, or even Etta Eyong from Levante, would also afford Barcelona the opportunity to retain Lewandowski for another season in a diminished role. This might be under consideration at the club, and we will have to wait and see how things play out.