Barcelona Eye Victor Osimhen as Lewandowski Successor Amid Financial Hurdles
As FC Barcelona bask in the glow of Robert Lewandowski�s exceptional season, with the Polish striker nearing 50 goals, the club is quietly preparing for life after their talismanic forward. Lewandowski, who turns 37 in August, remains a cornerstone of the team, but the Catalan giants are already plotting a transition, with Galatasaray�s Victor Osimhen emerging as a prime candidate to succeed him, according to a recent report from *SPORT*.
Osimhen, currently on loan from Napoli, has set the Turkish S�per Lig alight with a staggering 26 goals and five assists in 31 appearances this season. The 26-year-old Nigerian striker�s explosive form has made him a hot commodity, with Napoli reportedly open to a permanent transfer this summer for a fee around �75 million. However, Barcelona�s transfer officials are wary, citing the hefty price tag and Osimhen�s expected salary demands as potential roadblocks given the club�s ongoing financial constraints.
The *SPORT* report also revealed that Barcelona were offered Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic as an alternative. Yet, the club has cooled its interest in the Serbian, who has fallen out of favor in Turin and is rumored to be eyeing moves to Saudi Arabia or the Premier League. This has left Osimhen as a more appealing option, though not without complications.
Barcelona�s transfer strategy is further muddled by their recent decision to pass on Liverpool�s Mohamed Salah. The Egyptian star, set to become a free agent in June, expressed interest in joining the Blaugrana, but his �18 million-per-season wage demand proved a non-starter. The club made it clear that a significant pay cut would be required�a condition Salah appears unwilling to meet.
While Osimhen�s stock continues to rise, Barcelona face stiff competition. Manchester United have emerged as frontrunners in the Premier League, where the Nigerian�s dynamic style is seen as a perfect fit. Galatasaray, meanwhile, are keen to extend his stay beyond the loan spell, adding another layer of intrigue to his future.
For Barcelona, the summer transfer window looms as a pivotal moment. Director of Football Deco has hinted that reinforcing the left wing might take precedence over signing a traditional striker, potentially sidelining a blockbuster move for Osimhen. The club�s financial health remains a question mark, and even if funds are secured, their priorities could shift away from the center-forward position.
As Lewandowski continues to defy age with one of the finest campaigns of his career, Barcelona�s succession plan is taking shape. Osimhen�s blend of pace, power, and clinical finishing makes him an enticing prospect, but whether the Catalan giants can navigate their economic challenges to land him remains uncertain. For now, the Nigerian star�s next move is one of the most tantalizing subplots heading into the transfer season.
