Could selling Lewandowski be the best thing for Barcelona?

The future of the Polish forward is up in the air with his contract running out - could seeing him leave be the best fit for Barça?

Robert Lewandowski’s future is up in the air. The player himself made it clear just a couple of weeks ago by saying that “[he hasn’t] thought about what will happen next season”.

He has two challenges on his to-do list with Barça (LaLiga and Champions League) and one with Poland (the playoff for the 2024 Euros in Germany). Then, in June, we will see what he decides. With both Saudi Arabia and MLS interested in signing the player, he will not be short of offers to play.

Barça’s sports commission also has a question mark over Lewandowski, who has a contract until June 2026, although there is a clause that requires him to play at least 55% of games in his third season for his last year of contract to be valid. The Pole’s salary will reach its maximum in the 2024-25 season. Therefore, the decision on his continuity is strategic in terms of both economic and on-pitch levels of thinking.

If Barça decide to sell Lewandowski, it would free up salary space that would permit a rearranged configuration of the squad. The good relationship between the player’s agent, Pini Zahavi, and Joan Laporta could facilitate an agreement. Obviously, if the decision comes that he is to leave Barça, the club would be so satisfied with freeing up his salary that a transfer fee would not be a stumbling block in negotiations.

Presumably, Barcelona’s future coach must also have an important say in the decision regarding Lewandowski. Whether he considers that he is still fit to be a top player at 35 years of age (he will turn 36 in August), or prefers a squad redesign, will be up to them.

At the moment, Lewandowski is scoring