Reason why Barcelona are holding back on signing a striker – report | OneFootball

Barcelona have been linked with breakout Sporting star Viktor Gyokeres in recent weeks and it is clear that the centre-forward situation is one that concerns them in the long term.

Robert Lewandowski has been in fine form this season and is firing on all cylinders. However, he is already 36 years of age and a natural decline is expected in the years to come.

As relayed earlier, the Polish star wishes to stay at the club until 2027, when he will be 39 years of age. That, however, places Barcelona’s operation to rope in a new player at a standstill as reported by SPORT.

An unfeasible option

As revealed by the Spanish outlet, Barcelona think it will be difficult to sign a world-class striker at present for two primary reasons.

For starters, their economic situation is not stable enough to fork out the premium that a striker’s signing requires, for even the agreement with Nike is seemingly not enough to restore them to the 1:1 rule.

Lewandowski wants to stay until 2027. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)

The bigger reason, however, is that they see it to be complicated for a new world-class striker and Lewandowski to coexist in the same dressing room. After all, they will be involved in a serious clash for minutes.

The final decision will eventually boil down to Lewandowski’s form and fitness, and the club has their eyes out on the market. Apart from Gyokeres, they are monitoring Erling Haaland and Jonathan David amongst others.

So far this season, Lewandowski has scored a staggering 14 goals in La Liga and is leading the Pichichi race by a handsome margin.

He missed out on playing for Poland in the ongoing international break through injury but is expected to be back against Celta Vigo.