Burkina Faso
Chinese Taipei
Nigeria

Three strikers Barcelona could sign if they miss out on Robert Lewandowski

sportsmole.co.uk, 15 June 2022, 10:56
Barcelona continue to be heavily linked with Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski.

The 33-year-old's current deal at Allianz Arena is due to expire next June, and he has told the Bundesliga champions that he wants to leave during this summer's transfer window.

Barcelona are said to be determined to sign the Poland international, who scored 50 goals and registered seven assists in 46 appearances at club level during the 2021-22 campaign.

However, the Catalan club's financial problems could price them out of a move, while they are also allegedly facing competition from both Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain.

As a result, Sports Mole has identified three possible alternatives to Lewandowski, should Xavi's side be forced to admit defeat in their pursuit of the experienced forward.

Andrea Belotti (Torino)

Andrea Belotti is set to be available for free this summer, as the Italy international's contract at Torino is due to expire on June 30, and there are no signs that he will be signing an extension.

While Lewandowski might cost upwards of £35m, Belotti could arrive without needing to pay a transfer fee, which would make him an attractive proposition for a Barcelona side still struggling financially.

The 28-year-old scored eight times and registered one assist in 23 appearances in all competitions for Torino during the 2021-22 campaign, missing a lot of football through injury.

Meanwhile, he has scored 113 goals and registered 28 assists in 251 appearances for his current side, so it is not difficult to understand why there is so much speculation surrounding his future.

Barcelona would have to move quickly if they wish to sign the Italian, and he would certainly provide them with a different option in the final third of the field.

Gerard Moreno (Villarreal)

Gerard Moreno has recently been linked with a switch to Barcelona, with the Catalan outfit said to view him as a genuine alternative to Lewandowski in the current market.

The Spain international was in strong form for Villarreal during the 2021-22 campaign, scoring 13 goals and registering six assists in 27 appearances in all competitions.

The 30-year-old, meanwhile, has now netted 95 times and registered 33 assists in 212 appearances for the Yellow Submarine, returning to the club from Espanyol in 2018.

According to Sport, there is a €100m (£86.7m) release clause in the forward's contract, but Villarreal would be prepared to listen to offers in the region of €40m (£34.7m), similar to what Lewandowski could cost.

Moreno's knowledge of La Liga means that his signing would not be a risk, as he has proved himself in Spain's top flight, and Villarreal are not in a position to reject big-money offers this summer.

Jonathan David (Lille)

Jonathan David was in impressive form for Lille during the 2021-22 campaign, scoring 19 goals in 48 appearances in all competitions, including three in eight Champions League outings.

The 22-year-old still has more than three years left to run on his contract, but Lille are expected to lose him this summer due to the growing interest in his services.

The Canada international has been linked with a move to the Premier League, while a number of leading European clubs are said to be interested in his services.

It is unclear how much Lille would demand for the forward, but Barcelona would not have to break the bank to sign him, and he is at the perfect age to grow as a player at Camp Nou.

David has an impressive return of 32 goals and five assists in 96 appearances for his French club since arriving from Gent in August 2020, and his form last term could earn him a high-profile move this summer.

Top News

6 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Bayern Munich head coach Thomas Tuchel is facing a couple of defensive quandaries ahead of the second leg of their Champions League semi-final with Real Madrid at the Bernabeu on Wednesday evening. 6 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti should only have to contend with the loss of one infirm player for the second leg of their Champions League semi-final with Bayern Munich on Wednesday evening. 6 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk For the 28th time in their long and illustrious histories, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich will cross paths in the Champions League, this time in the second leg of their semi-final at the Bernabeu on Wednesday evening. 6 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Two Arsenal stars who have not been regulars in Mikel Arteta's starting lineup this season are reportedly being lined up for big-money moves to Saudi Arabia. 6 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag is not concerned about the prospect of Red Devils captain Bruno Fernandes leaving Old Trafford. 6 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool-linked Feyenoord head coach Arne Slot has further suggested that he will soon be taking the reins at Liverpool and confirmed that an "announcement" on his future is imminent. 6 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk All transfer business is done and dusted for this season, but that doesn't stop clubs from preparing ahead for next season. 6 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Antalyaspor vs. Pendikspor (Monday, 6.00pm) Pendikspor will have another chance to boost their survival hopes when they travel to face Antalyaspor at the New Antalya Stadium on Monday night. 6 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Salernitana vs. Atalanta (Monday, 5.00pm) Still in the hunt for two trophies this season, Atalanta BC will aim to keep the pressure on Serie A's top five when they visit relegated Salernitana on Monday. 5 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk One of Chelsea's young attackers plying his trade on loan elsewhere has confirmed his desire to leave the club permanently this summer. 5 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea have reportedly approached Napoli to propose a player-plus-cash deal for their star striker Victor Osimhen during the summer transfer window. 5 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk The entourage of Erik ten Hag have reportedly been contacted by one of Europe's leading clubs amid the Dutchman's uncertain future with Manchester United. 5 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool attacker Mohamed Salah achieved an unprecedented Premier League feat in the Reds' 4-2 success over Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield. 5 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou was pleased to see his side look more like their usual selves in their 4-2 hammering at the hands of Liverpool at Anfield. 5 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Bayern Munich are sweating over the fitness of Eric Dier for Wednesday's Champions League semi-final second leg against Real Madrid, while Raphael Guerreiro has been ruled out with an ankle issue. 5 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool survive a late Tottenham fightback to keep their title hopes alive in a 4-2 win. 5 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United have revealed that central defender Harry Maguire will be out for approximately three weeks due to a muscular problem. 5 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Lionel Messi enjoyed a record-breaking night in Inter Miami's 6-2 win over New York Red Bulls. 5 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Borussia Dortmund sporting director Sebastian Kehl has said that his club will "try everything" to keep Jadon Sancho beyond the end of the 2023-24 campaign. 5 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Radu Dragusin's agent has hinted the Tottenham Hotspur defender could leave the club due to his lack of playing time. 5 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool are reportedly interested in signing Las Palmas attacker Alberto Moleiro. 5 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United will be bidding to avoid an unwanted first when they head to Selhurst Park on Monday evening to tackle Crystal Palace in the Premier League. 5 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea head coach Mauricio Pochettino has acknowledged that his players must find a way to 'keep their momentum going' if they are to have a chance of securing European qualification after thrashing West Ham United by a 5-0 scoreline. 5 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Joao Pedro scored a late winner to guide Brighton & Hove Albion to a narrow 1-0 victory over Aston Villa at the Amex Stadium. 5 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea have risen into seventh position in the Premier League table courtesy of a 5-0 victory over West Ham United at Stamford Bridge. 5 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah have both been named in the Liverpool starting lineup for their Premier League showdown with Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield. 5 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United are reportedly planning to use Harry Maguire as a makeweight in a move for Everton centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite during this summer's transfer window. 5 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona are reportedly keen to move for Liverpool's Darwin Nunez this summer, viewing the Uruguay international as the ideal replacement for Robert Lewandowski. 5 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United are reportedly 'still waiting' for offers to arrive for Antony, with the Red Devils yet to receive a 'concrete approach' for the Brazil international. 5 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea have made one change for Sunday's Premier League fixture against West Ham United, while Mauricio Pochettino is able to welcome six players back to his squad.