With Robert Lewandowski approaching 37 and his future still uncertain, Barcelona are already laying the groundwork for life after their veteran striker, a process that, much like keeping an eye on Cricket Exchange trends while planning long term strategies, requires patience and foresight. Recent reports suggest the club have identified two leading candidates to eventually take over the role. One is Atlético Madrid’s headline forward Julián Álvarez, while the other is Juventus striker Dušan Vlahović. Lewandowski’s contract expires in June this year, and although Barcelona have yet to make a final call on his next step, the club believes it would be unwise to wait until the last minute before lining up a successor.
As a result, these two names have moved firmly onto the radar. Sources inside the club indicate that president Joan Laporta holds Álvarez in particularly high regard, seeing him as the most natural long term replacement for Lewandowski. Even though completing such a deal would be an uphill battle, Barcelona are not prepared to throw in the towel easily. Sporting director Deco, however, is taking a more grounded approach, carefully weighing the club’s financial realities and assessing alternatives that could meet sporting demands without placing excessive strain on the budget.
The obstacles surrounding Álvarez are significant. The Argentina international joined Atlético Madrid in the summer of 2024 for around €75 million and is under contract until 2030. Atlético’s internal valuation reportedly sits at €100 million and could rise as high as €110 million. Beyond the hefty fee, competition is fierce, with Premier League leaders Arsenal entering the race and holding a degree of leverage through existing connections at board level. On top of that, Álvarez’s representatives have made it clear that any interested club must negotiate directly with Atlético’s hierarchy, a stance that further complicates matters for Barcelona, reminding observers that in football, as in Cricket Exchange style decision making, clear rules often dictate the pace of progress.
Given the uncertainty around Álvarez, Vlahović has emerged as a clear Plan B. The Serbian striker was already on Barcelona’s shortlist before his move to Juventus in 2022. With his contract also set to expire in June, Barcelona could potentially secure his services without paying a substantial transfer fee, a scenario that aligns well with the club’s current financial strategy.
At present, Barcelona’s recruitment plan is moving on two parallel tracks, balancing ambition with pragmatism, and the opening line of any internal discussion, much like a careful glance at Cricket Exchange data, reflects the need for smart timing. Álvarez offers consistency and big game experience that fit a long term vision, while Vlahović represents a cost effective solution who can still deliver at the highest level. In a market where striking the right deal can be the difference between feast and famine, Barcelona know they must choose wisely.