Flick addresses Barcelona's search for a Lewandowski successor

Barcelona may have started the new La Liga season with a commanding 5-0 win over Elche, but the spotlight after the match quickly shifted to the club's plans in the transfer market. With Robert Lewandowski no longer at the club and Ferran Torres also gone, Hansi Flick was asked whether Barcelona will still move for a specialist striker.

Strong start, familiar question

Flick's side made an impressive opening to the campaign despite lining up without a natural centre-forward. Raphinha and Fermin Lopez both scored twice, while Karim Adeyemi also found the net as Barcelona swept Elche aside.

The result underlined the attacking options already available to Flick, but it did not remove the wider question hanging over the squad. Barcelona lost both of their forwards during the summer window after deciding not to extend Lewandowski's contract and then seeing Torres join Paris Saint-Germain for close to 50 million euros.

So far, the club have brought in Anthony Gordon from Newcastle United and Adeyemi from Borussia Dortmund, though neither is a recognised central striker.

Flick keeps his options open

Speaking after the win, Flick did not offer a definitive answer on whether Barcelona will sign a replacement for Lewandowski. Instead, he indicated that internal discussions are still to come.

“We have to talk about it with Deco and do what is best for the club. But that will happen next week.”

It was a measured response rather than a firm commitment, but it suggested the issue remains active inside the club.

During the match against Elche, Raphinha at times moved into the striker's role, and Flick used the opportunity to praise the Brazilian's work without the ball as much as his attacking output.

“Rafa is a player who is a very good example for me in terms of intensity in a match. When he initiates the press, the rest follow his lead. That is the captain. He is the captain.”

Barcelona's striker market remains complicated

For much of the summer, Barcelona's priority has been Julian Alvarez of Atletico Madrid. The Argentina forward was recently whistled by his own supporters during Atletico's draw with Villarreal, but the Madrid club are not willing to sell him to Barcelona. According to the source material, Atletico would be prepared to do business with Arsenal instead.

Barcelona president Joan Laporta said the club had already made an offer and received a response that Atletico do not currently intend to sell because they do not have a replacement. Laporta added that Barcelona's proposal would remain in place for as long as the club considered appropriate.

A move for Lautaro Martinez also appears out of reach, with Inter viewing the forward as not for sale.

What comes next

Barcelona's opening-night performance showed that Flick can still build a dangerous attack without a traditional No 9, especially with players such as Raphinha, Fermin Lopez and Adeyemi contributing. Even so, the squad construction issue has not disappeared.

• Lewandowski's contract was not extended.
• Ferran Torres joined Paris Saint-Germain.
• Anthony Gordon and Karim Adeyemi have arrived.
• Flick is due to discuss the striker situation with Deco next week.

For now, Barcelona have momentum on the pitch and uncertainty off it. The next conversation between Flick and sporting director Deco could shape whether the club continue with flexible attacking solutions or make one more push for a recognised striker.