Barcelona is already working with its sights set on the summer of 2026, when Robert Lewandowski’s contract will end.

At 37 years old, the Polish footballer will bring his time at Camp Nou to a close.

With that, the sporting management will have to face one of the biggest challenges in terms of planning: finding a reliable number 9 who can take on his role as a reference point.

In the Barça offices, they’ve always been clear that they can’t wait until the last minute to make a decision.

The succession of a striker of Lewandowski’s caliber requires time, planning, and a thorough search in the market.

That’s why, for months, they’ve been working on different scenarios, with several names on the table and with one main goal: to ensure that the replacement is up to the task.Deco sees him as the new LewandowskiIn this process, one of the names that has gained the most momentum recently is Harry Kane.

The Englishman, currently at Bayern Munich, is enjoying a brilliant moment and, at 32 years old, keeps performing at an elite level.

In fact, he offers a profile very similar to Lewandowski’s when he arrived at Barça: a proven striker, capable of delivering from day one.

For Deco, Kane would fit as a perfect transition.

The sporting director believes that he still has two or three seasons at the highest level and that, in addition to his goal-scoring instinct, he brings qualities that suit the club.

The main obstacle is the financial aspect, since his salary would be high and the club is still working to stabilize its accounts.The English striker is one of the highest-paid strikers in Europe and at Bayern Munich.

He currently earns around €25 million gross per season.

This figure places him in the top salary tier of continental soccer.At Camp Nou, they are aware that taking on that contract in full would be unfeasible given the club’s current financial situation.

Therefore, if the deal goes through, Kane would have to accept a pay cut compared to what he earns in Germany.

Estimates put that possible salary at around €12 or €14 million net per season.

This salary would make him one of the highest-paid players in the Barça squad, but still below what stars in other major European leagues earn.Julián Álvarez or Harry KaneThe other main candidate remains Julián Álvarez, Atlético de Madrid’s striker and, due to his age and potential, the long-term favorite.

The Argentine represents the profile for the future: mobility, link-up play, and room for growth to establish himself as a reference point over the next decade.

His youth makes him a long-term investment, although his signing would require a significant transfer fee.

The decision, therefore, won’t be easy.

On one hand, Julián offers potential and continuity, while Kane guarantees experience and immediate goals.

At Barça, they value both options with equal seriousness, aware that Lewandowski’s replacement can’t be improvised.