Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres’ struggles show Barcelona must prioritise a new striker this summer

Barcelona may still have silverware to chase this season, but the club’s hierarchy cannot ignore the urgent need to refresh the centre-forward position when the transfer window reopens. Regardless of whether the Catalans lift La Liga or the Champions League, president Joan Laporta faces a stark reality: the Blaugrana’s attacking spearhead has dulled, and a new No. 9 must top the summer agenda.

Robert Lewandowski arrived as a marquee signing and, by every measure, has honoured his contract, delivering goals and presence in the penalty area. Yet the 37-year-old’s body is beginning to betray him. Too often in 2025-26 he has appeared a beat off the pace, labouring to control possession or shake markers. While his positional sense remains elite, the explosive bursts that once separated him from defenders have faded, leaving Barcelona with a striker who must be spoon-fed chances to remain effective.

The situation is no rosier for Ferran Torres. The Valencia product thrilled Camp Nou during the previous Copa del Rey run, earning the nickname “The Shark” for his predatory instincts. Twelve months on, that form has evaporated. Torres has managed 15 goals and one assist in 36 competitive matches this term, but only one of those strikes has come in La Liga since early December. At 26, he should be entering his prime; instead, he is misfiring when Barca need him most.

With Torres’ contract expiring in 2027, this summer represents the final opportunity for the club to extract meaningful value from a sale and reinvest in a long-term solution. Financial constraints are well documented, and recent reports suggest the club continue to haggle over Marcus Rashford’s valuation, while a move for Julian Alvarez is viewed as financially unrealistic. Those complications only underscore the importance of identifying an affordable, reliable goal-scorer who can lead the line for a rapid front three.

Barcelona’s problem is clear: the current options cannot provide the consistent movement, link-up play, or finishing required at the highest level. Solving that problem must take precedence over every other piece of business when the market opens.

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