Barcelona’s post-Lewandowski dilemma: Four strikers who could define the next era

The expectation inside Barcelona is that this season will be the last of Robert Lewandowski in Catalonia. His contract expires in the summer, and unless something dramatic changes, the Polish striker is set to leave on a free transfer.

If that proves to be the case, Barcelona will face one of the most important recruitment decisions of the decade. Replacing Lewandowski is not simply about filling a vacancy. It is about replacing a player described by head coach Hansi Flick last season as “the best No 9 of the last decade”.

That is not hyperbole. Since arriving from Bayern Munich in the summer of 2022, Lewandowski has been utterly transformative. Barcelona had endured three seasons without a league title and finished the 2021-22 campaign on just 73 points, their lowest tally in over a decade. Two La Liga titles have followed, one under Xavi and one under Flick, with Lewandowski’s goals at the heart of both.

In total, he has scored 109 goals in 165 appearances. Yet his impact goes beyond finishing. With Barcelona fielding the youngest average starting XI in La Liga this season, Lewandowski’s experience, standards and mentality have been vital in stabilising a youthful squad.

The challenge now is obvious. Finding a ready-made replacement for a generational No 9 in a thin striker market, while navigating the club’s well-documented financial constraints, is no small task. Below are four realistic candidates who could shape Barcelona’s next chapter.

Why replacing Lewandowski will not be straightforward

Elite centre-forwards are scarce. Those who consistently score 25 to 30 goals a season tend to be locked into long-term contracts at the continent’s wealthiest clubs. For Barcelona, this problem is magnified by financial fair play restrictions and limited room for manoeuvre.

There is also a stylistic question. Lewandowski is not just a goalscorer but a reference point. He occupies centre-backs, links play intelligently and allows Barcelona’s wide players to thrive. Any successor must either replicate those qualities or force a tactical rethink.

With that in mind, Barcelona’s shortlist appears to balance ambition with pragmatism.

Julian Alvarez: The dream signing with a daunting price tag

If money were no object, Julian Alvarez would be the standout choice. The Atletico Madrid forward has adapted seamlessly to Spanish football since his move from Manchester City, quickly establishing himself as one of La Liga’s most decisive attackers.

Since the start of last season, only three players have scored more league goals in Spain. That list includes Lewandowski himself. Diego Simeone has described Alvarez as “our best player” and “the difference-maker”, praise rarely handed out lightly in Madrid.

What makes Alvarez particularly intriguing for Barcelona is his defensive work. He presses aggressively, recovers possession high up the pitch and suits Flick’s preference for a high defensive line. His willingness to run could also help protect Barcelona during transitions, an area that has caused problems this season.

The downside is clear. Atletico would demand a vast fee, and Barcelona would be strengthening a direct domestic rival. Alvarez may be ideal stylistically, but financially and politically, this move would be extremely complex.

Evanilson: A physical alternative with something to prove

If Flick wants a more traditional No 9 profile, Evanilson offers a very different route. Currently with Bournemouth, the Brazilian is far closer to Lewandowski in physical terms than Alvarez.

Evanilson’s raw numbers are not flattering. His finishing has been erratic, and his goal return in the Premier League has lagged behind expectations. At a club like Barcelona, that level of wastefulness would be heavily scrutinised.

Yet there is context. Under Andoni Iraola, Bournemouth demand relentless pressing from the front. Evanilson excels in the ugly side of centre-forward play, battling centre-backs, linking play and creating space for others. Iraola once said after a match in which the striker failed to score, “Evanilson made the difference today. He was phenomenal.”

As a cost-conscious option, Evanilson would represent a gamble. The upside is a physically dominant striker who fits Barcelona’s pressing identity. The risk is whether his finishing can reach elite level.

Harry Kane: The superstar solution hiding in plain sight

On paper, Harry Kane feels unrealistic. He is thriving at Bayern Munich, scoring at an extraordinary rate while adding a creative dimension that has elevated those around him.

Since moving to Germany, Kane has evolved. Once a penalty-box predator, he now drops deeper, dictating play and spraying passes wide, all without sacrificing his goalscoring output. Thirty goals in 25 appearances this season underline his enduring quality.

There is, however, a twist. Kane’s contract reportedly includes a release clause that could become active in the summer. If triggered, the fee would be substantial but not completely beyond Barcelona’s reach.

Age is the obvious concern. Kane turns 33 in July. Yet in pure footballing terms, he may be the closest thing on the market to a ready-made Lewandowski replacement, capable of delivering immediately while also enhancing Barcelona’s attacking structure.

Samu Aghehowa: Investing in the future rather than the present

The most adventurous option is Samu Aghehowa. Just 21, the Porto forward has exploded this season, scoring freely and attracting attention across Europe.

Samu is raw but powerful. His game is built around explosive runs in behind, physical duels and attacking the penalty area. He does not yet offer Lewandowski’s finesse or link-up play, but the tools are there. As his coach Francesco Farioli put it, “He has all the characteristics to be a top No 9.”

Barcelona may not need a finished article immediately. Ferran Torres has already shown he can shoulder responsibility, scoring freely when deployed centrally. That could allow a player like Samu to develop without the crushing pressure of instant stardom.

A decision that will define Flick’s Barcelona

Replacing Lewandowski is not just a transfer decision. It is a statement about Barcelona’s direction. Do they chase an elite, expensive solution? Do they adapt tactically with a different striker profile? Or do they invest in potential and trust the collective?

Each option comes with risk. But what is clear is that Lewandowski’s departure will mark the end of an era and the beginning of another. How Barcelona respond will shape not just next season, but the identity of the club for years to come.