Barcelona poised to lose out on 23-year-old attacking target as RB Leipzig near transfer agreement | OneFootball

Barcelona have one major squad problem to sort out this summer. The Catalan club need to find a replacement for Robert Lewandowski, who left at the end of last season.

The Pole spent four successful years at Barça before leaving as a free agent, and the club now need to find a number nine capable of leading the next era.

This, coupled with the uncertainty surrounding the future of Spanish hero Ferran Torres, means Barça may be in the market for more than just one striker this summer.

Now, Barcelona appear set to miss out on Fisnik Asllani, with the Hoffenheim striker close to staying in the Bundesliga.

According to SPORT, Asllani has reached a full agreement with RB Leipzig, with the two clubs now expected to finalise the transfer.

The 23-year-old has a €29 million release clause, but Barcelona have not made a decisive move for him.

Asllani waited for Barcelona

Fisnik Asllani is set to stay in Bundesliga. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)

The report says Asllani had delayed talks with other Bundesliga clubs in the hope that Barça would step forward.

He even ended negotiations with Borussia Dortmund while waiting to see whether the Catalans would act.

His preference for Barcelona has never been much of a secret. Asllani has shown his affection for the club on social media and was open to the possibility of moving to Spain.

However, Barça’s priorities have been elsewhere. The sporting department is currently focused on signing a starting centre-forward, with Julian Alvarez still viewed as the main target.

Leipzig take advantage

Leipzig have moved quickly and now look set to secure one of the more promising forwards on the German market.

Asllani impressed in the Bundesliga and fits the profile of a young player who can continue developing in a competitive environment.

Fisnik Asllani waited for Barcelona. (Photo by Neil Baynes/Getty Images)

From Barcelona’s perspective, the situation is understandable. The club were monitoring him closely and knew the player was interested.

However, with no clarity regarding Alvarez’s future, the club could not afford to move for Asllani and spend a significant amount on him.

Barça stay focused on Julian Alvarez

Asllani may also include another accessible exit clause in his next contract, which could keep the door open for the future.

However, that is a conundrum for another time. The talented striker is the second Barça target after Dusan Vlahovic, who seems to be close to agreeing a move with another club.

This is a reminder for Barcelona that they will have to move quickly and try to wrap up a deal for the Argentine forward.

If a move for him is not possible, it could leave them without many options for a new number nine, and it remains to be seen how Deco handles this situation.