Robert Lewandowski is now much more likely to end his time with Barcelona. Overseas media familiar with transfer market forecasts predict that the two sides will part ways at the end of this season, and analysis says Barcelona has already started moving to find a new striker to succeed him.
Tribuna cited The Athletic on the 3rd (KST) and reported that Lewandowski does not intend to sign a new contract after his deal expires this summer. Barcelona is also reportedly reviewing the signing of the next-generation striker with a goal of long-term reorganization of the attacking line. There has been no official announcement yet, but the local mood is effectively leaning toward a split.
Since leaving Bayern Munich in 2022 and putting on the Barcelona jersey, Lewandowski has consistently delivered decisive performances. He has been responsible for Barcelona's scoring with 109 goals and 21 assists in 163 matches. Even though he challenged La Liga at a relatively advanced age, his ability to maintain that level has been highly praised.
But this season the situation has gradually changed. Although Lewandowski has maintained a respectable mark of 8 goals in 12 matches this season, criticism has grown that muscle injuries have become more frequent and his recovery is no longer what it used to be. Approaching his late 30s, continued playing burden and a high weekly wage are acting as negative factors at the contract renewal negotiation table.
At one point there were rumors he might leave early in the winter transfer window, but that proved to be untrue. European transfer market expert Florian Plettenberg drew a line through claims that Lewandowski planned to leave the team in January or that he would retire in the summer, saying those were baseless. He said that Lewandowski, whose contract is expiring, is keeping both staying at Barcelona and transferring open.
Now attention turns to his next destination. Bavarian Football Works, a source close to his former club Bayern Munich, reported that AC Milan has shown interest in signing Lewandowski and that Saudi Arabian clubs are also making moves. However, the possibility that merits the most attention is the U.S. Major League Soccer. LA has been consistently mentioned as Lewandowski's final destination.
In fact, MLS headquarters once featured Lewandowski's remarks on its official website in 2021. While playing in Munich as his contract was nearing its end, he named LA as his favorite U.S. city and, while avoiding a clear answer about joining MLS, left a positive nuance. A year later he moved to Barcelona.
Currently, LAFC and the LA Galaxy are being mentioned as potential MLS destinations. Considering LAFC's attacking lineup, which includes Son Heung-min, and the LA Galaxy's aggressive investment approach, Lewandowski's range of choices is considered wide enough. As Barcelona fans prepare to close an era, attention is focused on where the world-class striker's next stage will be.
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