Robert Lewandowski has admitted that he does not see himself taking part in past the subsequent two or three seasons at most, revealing that he desires to retire on his phrases when the time is correct.
For now, the veteran Polish striker remains to be banging within the targets for Barcelona and is main the European Golden Shoe race at this early stage of the season.
However it will even be remiss of the Catalan giants to not already be contemplating what comes subsequent.
Barca aren’t out of the woods financially however have nonetheless proven in recent times a capability to drag large offers out of the bag with some fastidiously reshuffling – assume Dani Olmo (€60m), Raphinha (€58m), Jules Kounde (€50m) and even Lewandowski (€45m) himself. Cheaper offers, both free brokers, or these for whom smaller switch charges may very well be negotiated would clearly nonetheless have attraction too.
Final season was remarkably Viktor Gyokeres’ first in a prime flight competitors, having by no means made a Premier League look throughout 4 seasons with Brighton & Hove Albion. However he went from 21 targets within the EFL Championship to 29 in Portugal’s Primeira Liga and hasn’t appeared again.
The late blooming Swede, now 26 years of age, already has 23 targets to his identify in all competitions this season and can smash by way of the 50-goal barrier if he retains up this tempo. The draw back is value, with Sporting more likely to count on any suitor to set off a €100m launch clause.
If Barcelona can negotiate a staggered fee for the same quantity to keep away from having to pay all of it in money up entrance, as was the case with Olmo, it is perhaps possible. However competitors from closely linked golf equipment like Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea may very well be one other impediment.
Omar Marmoush not too long ago matched a feat final achieved by Lionel Messi when he turned the primary participant from a prime 5 European league to attain a direct free-kick in three successive video games (all competitions) because the Camp Nou legend greater than 5 years.
The Egypt worldwide has been making his identify with Eintracht Frankfurt within the Bundesliga, bursting into life upon becoming a member of the membership in 2023 on a free switch that adopted a fairly underwhelming spell at earlier aspect Wolfsburg.
Frankfurt perceive that promoting Marmoush is perhaps unavoidable however it would take a proposal higher than €40m to let him go. They beforehand offered Randal Kolo Muani in 2023 for €90m.
One prime striker who will likely be out there and not using a switch price on the finish of the season is Jonathan David. Lille are already resigned to dropping the Canadian as a free agent, having been unable to agree a brand new contract and his current deal nearing its conclusion.
The 24-year-old has discovered the online constantly all through his profession thus far throughout Belgian and French soccer, by no means scoring fewer than 12 league targets in any of his six full seasons, and averaging simply shy of 17 in per marketing campaign. In every of the final two seasons, he’s netted 26 throughout all competitions and is already heading in the right direction to surpass that tally, with 13 earlier than the midway stage of 2024/25.
David has even scored a profitable aim towards Actual Madrid, changing from the penalty spot in a Champions League victory for Lille earlier this season.
There’s a household connection right here, with Marcus Thuram’s father, Lilian, spending the ultimate two seasons of his illustrious profession at Camp Nou between 2006 and 2008. The French striker is now a recognised star in his personal proper, having fun with a powerful debut season with Inter in 2023/24 and kicking on once more within the early levels of 2024/25, with seven targets in 12 Serie A appearances to date.
Thuram was a reported Liverpool goal beneath the administration of Jurgen Klopp and is now rumoured to be again on the Premier League leaders’ radar now that Arne Slot is in cost.
A launch clause of €85m is steep, however not inconceivable, and extra inexpensive than Gyokeres.
Samu Aghehowa has definitely made his mark this season. The bruising striker not too long ago bullied Manchester United when Porto confronted the English aspect within the Europa League, having made the transfer from Atletico Madrid throughout the summer time for as little as €15m.
That was after a Chelsea deal value virtually 3 times as a lot had collapsed, but it surely hasn’t stopped Samu from thriving in what is simply his second season in senior prime flight soccer. The 20-year-old has even performed his approach into Luis de la Fuente’s Spain squad.
Aghehowa has a €100m launch clause, which can nonetheless be thought-about good worth given his age and long-term potential. Nevertheless, Atletico Madrid retain a 50% sell-on clause, which Porto will pay to scale back, however severely limits the extent to which they’d be prepared to barter.
Whereas not a direct alternative for Lewandowski by way of place on the pitch, Mohamed Salah might definitely change the targets that might be misplaced. In actuality, the 2 might find yourself taking part in collectively on account of Salah’s window of availability being the approaching summer time if he does not signal a brand new Liverpool contract and Lewandowski not anticipated to depart Barcelona fairly that quickly.
Salah, 33 in June, is not a long-term answer both, however Lewandowski was about to show 34 when he made the change from Bayern Munich and it hasn’t precisely been a foul deal for Barca.
The Egyptian celebrity, who’s famed for his dedication to staying in peak bodily situation, might theoretically choose up Lewandowski’s mantle and carry it a number of extra years. Liverpool boss Slot has already recommended he’ll play on till his late thirties like Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo.
