Barcelona continue to chase after a new attack line for the summer as Xavi Hernandez continues his squad rebuild.
With Erling Haaland all but ruled out as the club’s marquee signing for the summer, the Catalan giants have turned their attention to other targets.
Here are the latest reports on two of those targets.
Antony ruled out as option due to inexperience
Brazilian winger Antony Matheus dos Santos, 22, who joined Ajax Amsterdam in 2020 from Sao Paulo has emerged as one of the most promising wingers in Europe, and just two years on is the target of several European clubs.
Barcelona are one of the clubs reported to be interested in the Brazil U23 international, whom they hope to add to their ranks along with Raphinha from Leeds United. Both players will be coming in as cover for Ousmane Dembele and Memphis Depay, who the club have opened the exit doors for.
However, the club have now decided to go for only Raphinha instead of both, according to Spanish outlet SPORT, who also claims that Antony’s experience in European and senior football, more than his price tag – both players are valued at around €40 million – is the Blaugrana’s reason for choosing to not sign him.
Raphinha, who has played in France and now in England, is seen to be the better option. Antony, also, has fallen short of making the starting XI in the Brazilian national team squad because Raphinha is seen as more experienced than he is.
Barcelona preparing to go all-in for Lewandowski
Recent reports claim that Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski is looking to take up another challenge elsewhere, with the LaLiga being his preferred destination ahead of the 2022/23 season.
Barcelona is hoping to add a high-profile signing to their ranks in the summer and Lewandowski is just as high profile as Haaland, who is reportedly going to cost €300 million over the next five years which Barcelona initially planned to sign him.
With Barcelona president Joan Laporta constantly reiterating how he is hoping to cut costs, the Haaland operation is very risky for the club’s current financial profile. Now, Spanish outlet Cadena SER is reporting that the club have entered negotiations to sign Lewandowski.
News also coming out of Germany is that the Polish striker is in the last year of his contract with Bayern Munich but has been facing obstacles in renewing his contract with the Bavarians, who would rather he leaves this summer for a fee than for free in 2023 when his contract is up.
The 33-year-old, who won last season’s golden boot, is expected to cost around €50 million and has reportedly been offered a four-year contract by Barcelona. Lewandowski is reported to favour a move to Real Madrid, however, which means Barcelona will have to do a lot to convince the lifelong Madrid fan to play at the Spotify Camp Nou next season.
