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"We will decide at the end of the season" - Xavi refuses to rule out summer exit for Barcelona star

sportsmole.co.uk, 3 May 2024, 14:40
Barcelona head coach Xavi has said that Robert Lewandowski's future with the Catalan giants will be decided "at the end of the season".

The 35-year-old made the move to Camp Nou from Bayern Munich in the summer of 2022, and he has scored 56 goals and registered 17 assists in 90 appearances for the club in all competitions.

This season, Lewandowski has 23 goals and nine assists in 44 appearances, including 16 strikes in La Liga, and he hit a hat-trick against Valencia on Monday night.

The Poland international has another two years left to run on his contract, with the option of a further 12 months, but there is currently speculation surrounding his future.

A recent report claimed that Lewandowski is not one of the untouchables in the Barcelona squad, with the Catalan team believed to be willing to listen to offers for him this summer.

Xavi opens door to Robert Lewandowski exit

Barcelona will be active during this summer's transfer window, but they are under pressure to make some major sales due to their well-documented financial problems.

There is believed to be Saudi Arabian interest in Lewandowski, and the chance to sell a 35-year-old for a substantial fee this summer is likely to appeal to those in charge of the finances at Camp Nou.

Xavi said that Lewandowski is valued both now and in the future, but he refused to rule out a summer departure for the experienced forward during his press conference on Friday.

"We value Lewandowski a lot and for the future, we will decide at the end of the season," said the Barcelona boss, as he addressed the media ahead of Saturday's La Liga contest against Girona.

Xavi also addresses Vitor Roque's future

Xavi was also questioned on the future of Vitor Roque, with Barcelona thought to be considering letting the youngster leave on loan during the summer market.

The 19-year-old moved to Camp Nou from Athletico Paranaense in January, and he has represented the club on 13 occasions, scoring twice.

Roque has been an unused substitute for the team's last two league games, though, and he also did not feature in the last-16 stage or quarter-finals of the Champions League.

"What can happen is that he recovers and is available. There are five games left, he is a Barca player. We will talk at the end of the season," added the manager during his press conference.

Roque has scored against Osasuna and Alaves in La Liga this season, but he has only featured from the start on two occasions since his arrival at Barcelona on January 1.

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