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WHAT HAPPENED?
The Catalan heavyweights have no need for a new No.9 at present, with prolific Polish striker Robert Lewandowski filling that role. He is, however, 36 years of age and only tied to a contract through to the summer of 2026 – although a 12-month extension could be triggered if certain terms are met.
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Getty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE
Barca will need to find another proven performer to lead their line at some stage, with there already talk of transfer raids being readied on the likes of Manchester City and Sporting. Deco, though, is reluctant to speculate on what could happen in future windows.
WHAT DECO SAID
Quizzed by Mundo Deportivo on whether long-time target Haaland could end up at Camp Nou, Barcelona’s sporting director said: “First we have to know if Haaland is what we want in the future. We don’t know now. Right now we don’t want any ‘nine’. We have Robert. We’re not planning anything with any ‘nine’. When the time comes to make a decision, I have to make it because I’m that one at the club, we’ll consider the options. But I don’t think it’s the time to talk about any player.”
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Getty ImagesDID YOU KNOW?
Haaland has been a revelation for City – winning Premier League titles, the Champions League crown and two Golden Boots. Gyokeres is another that has been catching the eye with his strike rate at Sporting, but Deco added when asked if the Swedish sensation is a target on his radar: “He is a good player, he has been scoring goals for a long time in Portugal, we know him like many others but he is not our priority at the moment, nor are we looking for a number nine to replace Robert because we want him to remain happy, scoring goals and at least stay for another season. We have won things and he is happy to be here. We are not going to talk about any player now.”
WHAT NEXT?
Lewandowski has been with Barca since completing a move from Bayern Munich in 2022. He has registered 78 goals for the Blaugrana through 112 appearances, with an impressive return of 19 efforts in just 17 outings this season suggesting that there is no need for a replacement to be found just yet.
