Barcelona are heading into a crucial phase of their summer planning, and one situation that refuses to settle is the future of Robert Lewandowski.
What initially looked like a straightforward contract decision is now turning into something far more delicate.
According to journalist Florian Plettenberg, club president Joan Laporta is keen to extend Lewandowski’s stay until 2027.
Internally, there is still a strong belief that the veteran striker has a role to play, especially given his experience and consistent output in front of goal.
But this is where the situation becomes complicated.
What’s the story?
Barcelona are not in a position to offer the same financial terms.
This means a reduced salary is very much part of the proposal, although discussions around exact figures have not properly advanced yet.
Those talks are expected to pick up soon, but for now, there is a noticeable gap between intent and agreement.
Notably, Lewandowski shares a strong connection with Laporta and his agent, Pini Zahavi, which has historically made negotiations smoother.
However, even that may not be enough this time because there are already multiple clubs circling.
Offers for Lewandowski
Chicago Fire have put forward an offer that is being taken seriously, while interest from Saudi Arabia continues to hover in the background.
On top of that, the journalist mentions that two major European clubs are also monitoring the situation closely, ready to step in if Barcelona fail to secure an agreement.
Lewandowski’s current deal is running down, and despite initial contact between Barcelona and Zahavi, there has been no real breakthrough.
From the player’s perspective, the idea of accepting a significant pay cut is not something being taken lightly, especially at this stage of his career.
While he remains committed professionally, there is a growing sense that he is not entirely convinced by the current proposal on the table.
Meanwhile, Laporta does not want to lose Lewandowski, but the final outcome will depend on whether both sides can find a middle ground quickly.
