FC Barcelona hopes to recruit Nico Williams this summer, and another key transfer will have to be made in 2026: replace Robert Lewandowski.
Lewandowski has been a fantastic player for Barcelona since his arrival from Bayern Munich in 2022. He scored 101 goals in 147 appearances for the Catalans, which he helped win the liga twice (2022-23 and 2024-25).
But Lewandowski will celebrate his 37th anniversary in August and will start to lose its importance. He should see his playing time decrease next season, at the end of which his current contract expires. At this point, he should not be offered extension. It will therefore be necessary to find a replacement for him when he leaves the club, perhaps for Saudi Arabia.
Julian Alvarez Sends to Barça
And according to Sport, the best placed player to be wanted by Barcelona next summer is Julian Alvarez.
Alvarez had an excellent first season at Atlético Madrid. He scored 29 goals in 56 appearances in all competitions, while his general performance also impressed. Among those who are interested in the Argentinian international is the president of FC Barcelona, Joan Laporta, who also wishes to recruit him to succeed Lewandowski.
Towards a return to the Premier League?
Alvarez was associated with a return to the Premier League this summer, only twelve months after leaving Manchester City. But in the current state of things, Atlético does not intend to consider other options for its star attacker, which he wishes to keep at least one additional season.
Alvarez could have the possibility of joining Barcelona next summer, even if ATLETI would prefer not to lose it in favor of a direct rival. The sports director Deco is considering other names, but for the moment, it is clear that the 25-year-old is the one that the Liga champion wishes to add to the Hansi Flick workforce for the 2026-27 season and beyond.
