Barcelona still searching for Lewandowski successor

Barcelona are heading into their first season in four years without Robert Lewandowski, and the scale of that change is hard to ignore. The Poland striker scored 120 goals during his time at the club, helping deliver seven trophies, and his departure has left a vacancy that Mundo Deportivo describes as the most important role still to be filled in Hansi Flick’s squad.

Lewandowski leaves a major void

Replacing a forward with Lewandowski’s output was always going to be one of Barcelona’s toughest tasks this summer. Yet, for now, the club have not brought in a new recognised No 9. That has increased the focus on how Flick will shape his attack with the players already available to him.

The uncertainty does not end there. Ferran Torres, who had recently been competing with Lewandowski, is also facing an unclear future. The Spain international has been linked with a move away from Barcelona, with recent discussion centring on interest from Paris Saint-Germain.

With time still left in the summer transfer window, Barcelona may yet move for a striker. At this stage, though, the club are still waiting for a definitive solution in the central attacking role.

Flick’s internal options in attack

According to Mundo Deportivo, Flick could be forced to explore alternative structures rather than rely on a traditional centre-forward from the outset. One possibility raised is the use of a false nine, a system that would ask Barcelona’s attacking midfielders and wide players to share the burden left by Lewandowski’s exit.

The report points to several options already in the squad. Ferran is mentioned as one route, while Dani Olmo is highlighted as a candidate to operate as a false nine. The same analysis also references summer arrivals Anthony Gordon and Karim Adeyemi, both of whom have joined as wide attacking options and could give Flick greater flexibility in the final third.

Lamine Yamal is also part of the broader conversation, although Mundo Deportivo suggests that moving him into the central role may come too early. The view from the Catalan paper is that his development is still best served from the right flank, where he has already shown his value.

The key position remains unresolved

Even with new additions on the wings, the central message from the Catalan press is clear: Barcelona’s attack still lacks its natural focal point. Mundo Deportivo’s assessment is that centre-forward remains the outstanding issue in squad building, regardless of the various tactical alternatives available to Flick.

That makes the coming weeks significant for Barcelona’s planning. The club can begin the season with creative solutions and positional adjustments, but the longer-term question appears unchanged. Lewandowski’s replacement is still the central piece of the puzzle.

Season opener already on the horizon

Barcelona’s La Liga campaign is scheduled to begin on the weekend of 14-16 August 2026, when Flick’s side will open at Spotify Camp Nou against Athletic Bilbao. By then, attention will remain fixed not only on how Barcelona perform, but also on whether the club have finally filled the role that Lewandowski leaves behind.