FC Barcelona Consider Selling Robert Lewandowski At End Of Season

FC Barcelona are considering selling underperforming striker Robert Lewandowski at the end of the season, according to a report.

The Pole joined the Blaugrana last summer as part of a €50 million ($54 million) transfer which some thought was pricey for a player on the cusp of his 34th birthday.

Lewandowski initially proved the naysayers wrong through a flurry of goals that still see him top the La Liga rankings by two with 15, which is some four strikes ahead of the past winner of the Pichichi award and current Ballon d’Or holder Karim Benzema.

Since returning from the World Cup in December, however, the number ‘9’ has only hit the back of the net twice and has clearly struggled for top form.

As the veteran is without a goal in over a month, El Nacional has concluded that Lewandowski is “having his worst moments at Camp Nou”.

Furthermore, it is said that this hasn’t gone unnoticed by president Joan Laporta and head coach Xavi Hernandez, who cannot afford to have a striker with goalscoring issues in the ranks.

While the duo respect his leadership on the pitch and the way he has taken youngsters such as Gavi under his wing to show them how to live as a model professional, Lewandowski needs to improve in the final stretch of the season as Barca close in on the La Liga title and also look to seal a domestic treble with a Copa del Rey win.

If things don’t improve, it is believed that Laporta and Xavi might press ahead with a very difficult decision that is reportedly being considered – one which would see Lewandowski put on the market and potentially sold ahead of 2023/2024.

Barca still have faith that Lewandowski can turn things round, and it seems giving him time would be the best approach.

After all, given his age, it would be difficult to recuperate a good chunk of the money spent on him less than 12 months ago and find a buyer for him elsewhere.

That being said, selling Lewandowski for a loss might be better than having to pay him his lofty salary over the next few years.

This season, he is said to be earning a net wage of €10 million ($10.8 million) which rises to €13 million ($14 million) next term and €16 million ($17.25 million) by 2024/2025. In 2025/2026, his pay will drop back to €13 million ($14 million) before he can then leave on a free and possibly even retire.

Amid being warned to shave €200 million ($216 million) from the wage bill by La Liga president Javier Tebas, paying this money and possibly having Lionel Messi return to the club will be no small task.