Barcelona transfer inquiries: Should Lewandowski and Rashford be released?
Barcelona seemed to be on track in their pursuit of retaining the LaLiga title this season. Their fierce rivals, Real Madrid, struggled significantly during the first half of the season, leading to the dismissal of coach Xabi Alonso last month, while Atlético Madrid failed to capitalize and mount a serious title challenge.
However, in the last week, Barça faced a heavy 4-0 defeat against Atlético, which nearly eliminated them from the Copa del Rey, and a surprising 2-1 loss to Catalan neighbors Girona on Monday allowed Madrid to pull ahead by two points at the top of the league.
It is evident that Hansi Flick’s team cannot solely depend on young talent Lamine Yamal, and their financial constraints are well-documented, necessitating a clear prioritization of areas that require strengthening and where they can adjust their squad.
ESPN Barcelona reporters Sam Marsden and Moisés Llorens address the crucial transfer inquiries that Barça must confront when the summer window reopens.
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Barça is considering Julián Álvarez and Dusan Vlahovic, among others, in their search for a new striker. Who should they pursue?
Marsden: Barça should aim for a Kylian Mbappé or a Harry Kane, but they also need to acquire a centre-back, a full-back, and a holding midfielder, possibly another winger as well. So, where will they streamline their expenditures? I would favor investing in a centre-back.
If they opt for a striker, Álvarez is well-regarded within the club’s management. However, his recent performance—failing to score in 11 matches before netting against Barça last week—has raised concerns. Additionally, the fee Atlético would demand for him is substantial—Barça sources have indicated they seek well over €100 million. There is also no assurance he would outperform Ferran Torres, who has actually scored five more league goals than Álvarez this season in 300 fewer minutes.
In that regard, Vlahovic could be a viable option since he will be a free agent this summer at Juventus, even if he may not generate excitement among fans. Given the current market conditions and the potential for change, I would recommend Barça to hold off for now and focus on other areas until they can make a significant investment in a striker.
Llorens: Without a doubt, Barça should pursue Álvarez if possible. He is a player the club has monitored for an extended period. There are over 15 different reports endorsing his acquisition throughout his career, and his playing style aligns perfectly with what coach Hansi Flick expects from his forwards. Barça would be able to fulfill his ambition to compete for every available trophy, something he experienced at Manchester City.
Regardless of who is brought in, should they extend Robert Lewandowski’s contract?
Llorens: I would not extend his contract. As a player approaching 38 in August, I believe his time at the club has come to an end. The club might opt to extend his deal at a significantly reduced salary, but for me, it’s time to move forward.
Marsden: First, I want to acknowledge that Lewandowski, who joined at 33 in 2022, has been an exceptional signing for Barcelona. With 114 goals in 177 matches, he is just six goals shy of entering the top 10 of the club’s all-time leading scorers.
However, he has begun to assume a more secondary role this season, rotating with Torres, if not definitively being second-choice to him yet, and commands a substantial salary. Even if he is willing to accept a pay cut, is he worth that amount if he is not the starting No.9 every week?
His experience and work ethic have been invaluable, even exemplary, for the younger players emerging in recent years, but it is in the best interest of both the player and the club to part ways this summer. Barça could utilize that salary space effectively, and Lewandowski can lead a new project elsewhere as his career nears its conclusion.
Should Barça make Marcus Rashford’s loan permanent, or is there another winger they should consider instead?
Marsden: With 10 goals and 13 assists in 34 appearances, he has performed well during his loan from Manchester United. However, as Flick mentioned recently, it’s not solely about the statistics. He has urged Rashford to further tap into his potential. He has also previously discussed the need to enhance his off-the-ball work. These may be two reasons why, since Raphinha’s return from injury at the end of November, the England forward has primarily been utilized as an impact substitute.
Thus, it is challenging to determine whether to secure him on a permanent basis. At €30m in today’s market, it appears to be a straightforward decision, and he seems content with his role in and out of the team while others take the lead. However, his wages must also be considered: unless he agrees to a significant reduction, his salary would place him among the highest earners at Barça.
The final decision will be made toward the end of the season, based on his performance until then, the financial resources available to Barça, the alternatives they have, and their priorities regarding squad enhancement. Currently, club sources suggest it is more likely to happen than not, but I would lean toward investing in other areas.
Llorens: I would evaluate other options before deciding on Rashford. I believe his performances have been solid, and he has adapted well to the team, the club, and life in Catalonia, but €30m is a considerable sum for Barça to spend if they are not entirely certain.
There are lower-cost alternatives to consider. For instance, Jan Virgili is a young winger Barça transferred to Mallorca last summer with an option to re-sign him. He could be a valuable addition to fill the left-wing role when Raphinha is unavailable. He had a strong first half when Barça faced Mallorca earlier this month, although it is true that his statistics and ball-striking ability do not currently match Rashford’s.
play1:29Moreno: Barcelona’s defence a ‘circus’ in Girona defeat
Ale Moreno reacts to Barcelona’s surprising 2-1 loss to Girona as Real Madrid takes the lead in the LaLiga standings.
Do they still require another centre-back to compensate for the loss of Iñigo Martínez? If so, who?
Llorens: The players departing Barcelona this summer will be crucial in determining whether another central defender is acquired ahead of the next season. Gerard Martín’s long-term future at the club is uncertain, Andreas Christensen is out of contract, and we will see what unfolds with Ronald Araújo, who has recently returned from a leave of absence to focus on his mental health.
Pau Cubarsí and Eric García have shown encouraging signs as a defensive partnership in recent weeks, but if there is room in the squad and funds available, Inter Milan’s Alessandro Bastoni is a highly regarded player who could seamlessly integrate. He would be a wise addition to any top-tier European team with Champions League ambitions.
Marsden: Absolutely. If funds are available, this is where I would allocate resources. I don’t want to imply that all of Barça’s issues stem from the back four, as they have been exposed by the midfield at times and let down by the team’s pressing, but a new centre-back would enhance this squad.
Cubarsí’s form has been inconsistent, largely due to the significant burden placed on his 19-year-old shoulders. He is still developing and would greatly benefit from having an experienced partner alongside him, as was the case with Martínez last year. A partnership with García could still flourish, but it is not a top-level pairing in my view.
But who should Barça target? Ultimately, it all hinges on finances—or the lack thereof. Bastoni would be my ideal signing as well, but that is nearly impossible. Borussia Dortmund’s Nico Schlotterbeck and Tottenham Hotspur’s Micky van de Ven are among others linked, but sporting director Deco may need to explore other markets, targeting players whose contracts are expiring, such as AFC Bournemouth’s Marcos Senesi or even Liverpool’s Ibrahima Konaté.
Will Barça pursue a new full-back in the summer, or is there a possibility that João Cancelo will remain?
Marsden: There is a possibility Cancelo stays, but it is not likely at this moment. We will see how the remainder of the season unfolds. Barça does require depth at full-back, however. Jules Koundé has been supported by García, who is primarily utilized as a centre-back, at right-back. On the left, Alejandro Balde’s only competition is the inexperienced Martín.
The need for a full-back is not a new issue. Deco has been scouring the market for several transfer windows, but with Koundé and Balde both performing relatively well, it has never been an absolute priority. The ideal acquisition would be someone young, capable of playing on either side of the defense, and with the potential to become a long-term starter. Whether such a player exists is another question.
Llorens: Cancelo’s performance levels have not been the most encouraging since his return in January, although the influence of his agent, Jorge Mendes, could be pivotal in his future. Barça has Koundé and García as options on the right, while young Jofre Torrents is vying for more opportunities on the left behind Balde. Considering García’s versatility, the club’s financial situation will determine whether they pursue a full-back this summer.
play0:45Hansi Flick: No excuses Barcelona deserved to lose vs. Girona
Barcelona manager Hansi Flick believes his team deserved to lose against Girona in LaLiga.
Who are the next players from La Masia who could be elevated to the first-team squad?
Llorens: Several academy players are already capable of contributing to the first-team squad, but it would be immensely beneficial if the reserve team can achieve promotion this season back into the third tier of Spanish football. Among those on the verge of the first team, the Fernández cousins, Toni and Guille, along with winger Dani Rodríguez, who is currently injured, have significant potential to make an impact at the club.
Marsden: While opportunities have arisen for young players in recent seasons, the sentiment at the club is that with a more established squad now in place, it will be more challenging for academy graduates to secure playing time moving forward. This was one of the factors influencing Dro Fernández’s decision to join Paris Saint-Germain in January.
Nonetheless, Flick continues to include players from the youth teams in training sessions. Midfielder Tommy Marqués is the latest La Masia product to make his full debut under the German coach, while Toni Fernández, Torrents, and Juan Hernández are all involved with the senior squad as well.
Xavi Espart, Landry Farre, Sama Nomoko, and Ebrima Tunkara, still only 15, are additional players to monitor, although Espart, Farre, and Nomoko have all faced unfortunate injury setbacks this season.
Barça consistently needs to generate revenue. Are there any regular first-team players who could be sold to raise funds?
Marsden: Allow Lewandowski and Christensen to depart as their contracts expire, creating salary space, and also consider moving on goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen. Financial savings could also be achieved by not renewing Cancelo’s loan or signing Rashford. Beyond that, I would entertain any offers for Martín or Marc Casadó, two squad players who, in my opinion, lack the quality to maintain a regular first-team position at Barça.
From there, the decisions become more complex. Torres’ contract runs until 2027, so if no agreement is reached, it may also be time to cash in on the former Manchester City forward. Then, it raises the question of what Barça could accomplish with any funds generated from transfers. If there is a rationale for strengthening the team by considering offers for Araújo, Koundé, Frenkie de Jong, Dani Olmo, and Fermín López, then it is something that should be evaluated.
Llorens: We need to see how the season concludes, but players like Martín and Casadó could be sold this summer. Everything remains uncertain at this stage, however.
