Barcelona is planning to revamp its attacking lineup for the upcoming season by bringing in a new top-tier striker, specifically a world-class forward who excels in the number 9 position and has a proven ability to score goals.
The Catalan club’s leadership is fully aware that Robert Lewandowski may not be able to maintain the pace demanded by Barcelona’s dynamic style of play. His age has begun to limit his flexibility and vitality, making it clear that the team must start looking for a younger and more adaptable alternative.
According to the Spanish newspaper El Nacional, Joan Laporta, the president of FC Barcelona, has emphasized that signing Swedish forward Victor Gyökeres from Sporting Lisbon is a primary objective during the next summer transfer window. Laporta views Gyökeres as the perfect successor to Lewandowski, and the club’s sporting director, Deco, has already approved the plan to push forward with every effort necessary to complete the transfer.
Gyökeres has made a significant impact at Sporting Lisbon, earning a reputation as a highly skilled striker with remarkable goal-scoring abilities. His playing style is seen as an excellent fit for Barcelona’s attacking philosophy. This season, he has distinguished himself by scoring over 20 goals and contributing numerous assists, cementing his status as one of Europe’s top forwards.
However, a major challenge for Barcelona lies in Gyökeres’ hefty price tag. The player’s contract includes a €100 million release clause, a figure that the financially constrained Catalan club finds difficult to meet due to Financial Fair Play regulations. Despite this, Laporta and Deco have devised a strategy that involves leveraging player exchanges to reduce the financial burden of the deal.
One of the key players likely to be included in these negotiations is Vitor Roque, a young Brazilian forward. Roque joined Barcelona during the last winter transfer window but was loaned to Real Betis for more game time and development. Unfortunately, his performance has not met expectations, and it appears likely that he will return to Camp Nou in the summer. Betis manager Manuel Pellegrini was reportedly not impressed with Roque’s contributions, and the club no longer sees him as a valuable part of their squad.
Interestingly, Sporting Lisbon had previously shown interest in Roque before Barcelona secured his transfer for approximately €30 million. Now, Barcelona may use Roque as a bargaining chip to lower the cost of acquiring Gyökeres. Given Sporting Lisbon’s reputation for tough negotiations and reluctance to part with their star players, including a promising talent like Roque may make the Portuguese club more willing to compromise.
Barcelona’s president is keen to finalize the deal as quickly as possible and has urged Deco to accelerate negotiations. The urgency stems from increasing interest from Premier League giants Arsenal and Chelsea, who are also eyeing Gyökeres. If Barcelona does not act swiftly, the competition could drive up the transfer cost and complicate their pursuit.
While Laporta and Deco acknowledge the challenges involved in securing Gyökeres, they are prepared to make a determined effort to strengthen Barcelona’s attacking line and ensure a seamless transition from Lewandowski. With Vitor Roque potentially serving as a valuable negotiating asset, there is hope that Barcelona can successfully complete this high-stakes deal.
