As Robert Lewandowski approaches the final months of his contract at FC Barcelona, speculation over his successor has recently dominated transfer talk. Although he could extend with a mutual exit clause, Lewandowski’s age is no longer on his side.
While the Polish striker has delivered important goals since arriving from FC Bayern Munich in 2022, Barcelona’s evolving sporting project, built around youth, mobility, and financial sustainability, suggests the club must soon identify a successor capable of leading the line in the next cycle.
Besides, Barcelona’s transfer strategy is shaped by financial limits and LaLiga’s strict salary and spending rules. Even if Lewandowski stays through the 2025-26 season, freeing up his wages in summer 2026 will be essential to create space for a new centre-forward.
So, rather than chasing an almost unattainable blockbuster, Barça are more likely to focus on forwards who combine high-level quality with realistic transfer feasibility.
Here are five credible candidates who realistically fit that profile.
Barcelona’s top 5 possible replacement prospects for Robert Lewandowski in summer 2026
While Ferran Torres has shown promise leading the line this season, the club wants a big-name/prospect to spearhead their next era. Here are the five mostrealistic candidates, listed as per impact, feasibility, and fit.
1. Julián Álvarez
If Barcelona aims to secure a forward who can define their next era, Julián Álvarez remains the standout option. Currently at Manchester City and already a World Cup winner after triumphing at the FIFA World Cup, Álvarez has consistently shown he can deliver at the highest level.
What makes him especially appealing is his all-round profile. He is not just a finisher but a forward who presses aggressively, links play between midfield and attack, and thrives in fluid systems.
Barcelona’s positional play would suit his intelligent movement and ability to operate across the front line.
At 25–26 years old, he represents both immediate impact and long-term security. Financially, a deal would be significant and likely complex, but compared to some elite superstars, it remains within the realm of possibility if structured creatively.
2. Dušan Vlahović
Dušan Vlahović offers a more traditional route. Currently leading the line at Juventus FC, the Serbian striker brings size, aerial dominance, and a natural penalty-box instinct that mirrors classic centre-forward traits.
Although his recent form has fluctuated, context matters. Juventus’ tactical shifts and inconsistent creativity have limited service at times. Within Barcelona’s possession-heavy structure, Vlahović could benefit from a greater volume of chances and rediscover his most clinical level.
His contract dynamics may also open a negotiation window that makes him financially more attainable than other elite forwards. At his age, he still has room to grow while offering immediate physical presence — something Barcelona occasionally lacks against deep defensive blocks.
3. Alexander Isak
Alexander Isak has developed into one of the Premier League’s most refined forwards at Newcastle United. Tall yet technically elegant, Isak blends mobility with composure in front of the goal.
For Barcelona, Isak’s style would feel natural. He is comfortable drifting wide, combining in tight spaces, and carrying the ball through defensive lines. These are the attributes that perfectly align with Barça’s emphasis on technical superiority.
His La Liga experience with Real Sociedad earlier in his career further strengthens his suitability. While Newcastle’s financial position makes negotiations challenging, Isak represents a more stylistically aligned and realistic elite-profile option compared to older, contract-bound superstars.
4. Omar Marmoush
Omar Marmoush represents a more pragmatic and flexible solution. Currently competing for minutes at Manchester City, Marmoush offers pace, versatility, and strong tactical discipline.
He may not yet command the global spotlight of bigger names, but the Egyptian striker’s profile suits Barcelona’s need for movement and verticality. Marmoush’s ability to stretch defenses and operate across attacking roles could provide tactical flexibility, especially in rotation-heavy seasons.
Financially, he would likely be significantly more accessible than marquee targets, making him an intelligent squad-building option with upside.
5. Serhou Guirassy
Serhou Guirassy, now 29, has established himself as a reliable finisher in Germany and currently features for Borussia Dortmund. His physical strength and penalty-box efficiency make him an intriguing short-to-medium-term solution.
While slightly older than other names on this list, Guirassy brings proven output and a direct style that can break compact defenses. He would not represent a generational reset, but he could provide immediate goals at a more manageable cost, allowing Barcelona to balance ambition with financial caution.
Barcelona should go for a realistic approach over star tags for Lewandowski’s replacement
With a move for a superstar like Harry Kane or Erling Haaland, appearing highly unrealistic given contractual stability and financial complexity, Barcelona’s focus is more likely to fall on players who combine quality with attainable negotiations.
Julián Álvarez remains the dream long-term successor if finances allow. Dušan Vlahović offers structure and physicality within a manageable framework.
Alexander Isak blends technical elegance with modern movement. Omar Marmoush provides tactical dynamism at value, while Serhou Guirassy represents immediate, cost-conscious firepower.
Replacing Robert Lewandowski will not simply be about matching goal numbers. It will be about shaping the identity of Barcelona’s next attacking era that very much needs to be built on balance between ambition and sustainability.
