Barcelona player Robert Lewandowski celebrates his team’s victory during the Spanish League soccer match between Villarreal and Barcelona in Villarreal, Spain, Sunday, December 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Alberto Saez)
Reports across multiple outlets suggest that Robert Lewandowski is set to leave FC Barcelona at the end of the season, with the Polish veteran’s contract expiring at Camp Nou and the club already identifying replacements.
The striker is thinking about his next step after four years in Spain. The situation revolves around a contract offer that has not convinced the player, and a wider shift within Barcelona as they look to reshape their attack, with interest from Italy, the United States and Saudi Arabia all part of the picture.
The BBC report marks the end of Barcelona’s four-year spell
According to Guillem Balago’s BBC Sport column, Lewandowski is expected to leave Barcelona this summer, bringing an end to a spell that began when he joined from Bayern Munich in 2022 and quickly became the focal point of the attack. During that period, he has scored around 120 goals in all competitions, a return that puts him alongside some of the club’s most productive strikers in recent years, continuing to perform consistently despite moving into the final stage of his career, with the striker currently 37 years old and set to turn 38 before the start of next season.
Barcelona player Robert Lewandowski attempts a shot during the Spanish League soccer match between Villarreal and Barcelona in Villarreal, Spain, Sunday, December 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Alberto Saez)
The same report indicates that Barcelona offered a one-year renewal, although the terms included a significant salary cut and a limited role within the team, which Lewandowski did not like.
The Polish striker intends to continue competing in one of the major European leagues and play for Barcelona, but the new offer is not in line with his football ambitions, as he still wants to play regularly at the highest level instead of moving to a secondary role.It has also been widely reported that the club do not intend to review those terms, largely due to its desire to create financial flexibility ahead of the summer window, meaning the decision now rests on whether Lewandowski is willing to accept a different position within the team or pursue a move where he remains the focal point of the attack.
Barcelona makes a move for Julian Alvarez as part of their attacking restart
With Lewandowski’s departure increasingly expected, Barcelona have already turned their attention to the next phase of their attack, with Balage reporting that Julian Alvarez has been identified as the club’s priority target in the summer window. The striker, currently at Atletico Madrid, is said to be worth around €120m, a figure that poses a major challenge for Barcelona given their financial situation, although he remains the main option as they search for a long-term successor.
Atletico Madrid’s Julian Alvarez celebrates after scoring his team’s second goal during the Copa del Rey final between Atletico Madrid and Real Sociedad in Seville, Spain, Saturday, April. November 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Jose Britton)
Alongside this pursuit, the club are also targeting a second striker with a different profile, someone closer in style to Lamine Yamal and Rafinha, with reports suggesting they want a player who offers more aggression off the ball, pressing consistently and linking up play in tight spaces rather than focusing solely on finishing attacks.
Juventus and Milan lead European interest
Juventus and Milan’s interest has evolved into what are now described in multiple reports as active discussions, with both clubs prepared to offer Lewandowski a more prominent role at the highest level of European football.
Barcelona’s Robert Lewandowski gestures as heavy rain falls on the field during the Spanish League soccer match between Barcelona and Real Oviedo in Barcelona, Spain, Sunday, January 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort)
A report from Tuttosport a few days ago adds further details on Juventus’ position, stating that Lewandowski’s agent, Pini Zahavi, is expected to meet club officials, with a proposal that includes an annual salary of around €6 million plus bonuses, along with a central role in the team under Luciano Spalletti. While this offer does not fit the financial scale available in other markets, it is more closely aligned with the sporting expectations that have shaped Lewandowski’s thinking at this stage of his career.
Interest in the MLS cools while Saudi offers remain available
Interest from Chicago Fire FC has also been reported, with previous approaches indicating a desire to build a project around Lewandowski as a high-profile signing. However, according to The Athletic, the MLS side have recently taken a step back from their pursuit, reevaluating their priorities while planning the next phase of their team. Separate reports from Barcelona Global suggest that Lewandowski has also received lucrative offers from Saudi Arabia over a longer period, although these options have not yet been seriously considered, as the player remains focused on competing in Europe’s top leagues.
A final decision is expected to be made as the contract position remains unchanged
It is understood that Lewandowski is aware that Barcelona’s renewal offer will not improve, with the club prioritizing flexibility in the transfer market as they look to bolster their attack, meaning his decision is now focused on accepting reduced terms or moving on. Discussions over the coming weeks are expected to determine the next step in his career, with Italy currently emerging as the most likely destination if he leaves Barcelona.
