Poland captain’s contract runs out in the summer but there is no clarity over his future
To keep or not to keep? Barcelona are running out of time to decide whether or not to keep Robert Lewandowski beyond the summer.
The 38-year-old’s contract expires at the end of the season and there is still no clarity over his future at the club.
Lewandowski has not played as much this season as he has since he joined the Catalan club in 2022. He has played 27 games in all competitions so far this term, but started only 15 of those, amounting to 1,414 minutes played.
In contrast, last season he played 52 games in all competitions, starting 47 of those and coming off the bench only five times for a combined total of 3,930 minutes.
He has partly been limited by fitness concerns, but has also had to accept a reduced role given the impressive form of Ferran Torres.
Lewandowski’s wages remain a concern for the club, however, and the indecision regarding extending his contract is surely connected to an unwillingness to keep paying his current salary.
According to sources in Spain, the club are in fact considering a contract extension offer to the Poland captain but strictly on the condition of reduced wages.
An alternative would be to let him leave in the summer but sign a suitable replacement to compete with Torres. Barcelona have previously been linked with a number of strikers, including Atletico Madrid’s Julian Alvarez and Juventus’ Dusan Vlahovic, but whichever way, getting in a top-level goalscorer is sure to test the club’s financial position come the end of the season.
Both manager Hansi Flick and sporting director Deco have avoided discussions over Lewandowski’s future, instead saying that the focus was on the season and a decision would be made much later.
There is probably an internal process already underway, but whatever it is, action will have to be taken. Sources in Spain say there have so far been no negotiations with Lewandowski over an extended stay.
The forward himself is receiving interest from the Saudi Pro League and Major League Soccer, and the prospect of a lucrative contract to end his career in Saudi Arabia or the US may indeed appeal to the 38-year-old.
Barcelona have a decision to make, but they will need to do so quickly.
