Hansi Flick Confirms Barcelona Striker Search After Lewandowski Exit, Osimhen Ruled Out Over €100m Price Tag

Barcelona are actively seeking a new striker ahead of the 2026/27 season, with manager Hansi Flick confirming the club’s intentions after Robert Lewandowski‘s expected exit at the end of the current campaign.

Flick, who has relied on Lewandowski and Ferran Torres as his primary attacking options since taking charge two seasons ago, addressed the club’s transfer priorities directly. “We need to look for a number nine that fits our philosophy, and should also be able to score goals,” the German coach stated on 17 May 2026.

The Catalan club have been linked with several high-profile forwards in the build-up to the summer window, including Galatasaray‘s Victor Osimhen, Atletico Madrid’s Julian Alvarez, and Chelsea striker Joao Pedro. However, a pursuit of Osimhen appears to have been set aside due to financial constraints, with a transfer fee of approximately €100 million reportedly required to secure the Nigerian international.

Barcelona’s well-documented financial difficulties have long restricted their activity in the transfer market, and the Osimhen price tag appears to place him beyond the club’s current reach. Attention has therefore reportedly shifted towards more cost-effective alternatives, including Juventus forward Dusan Vlahovic, who could be available as a free agent this summer, and Atletico Madrid’s Alexander Sorloth.

Meanwhile, according to reports, Osimhen has emerged as a priority target for Chelsea ahead of the new season. The Premier League club have held a long-standing interest in the former Napoli striker, and sources suggest that those in the player’s camp consider Stamford Bridge a realistic destination this summer. Osimhen spent last season on loan at Galatasaray after his relationship with Napoli broke down, and his future remains unresolved heading into the transfer window.

Lewandowski, who joined Barcelona from Bayern Munich in the summer of 2022, has been a consistent performer for the club across his time in Catalonia. His departure would leave a significant void in Flick’s attacking setup, and securing a capable replacement before the start of next season is understood to be among the club’s top priorities.

With the summer transfer window approaching, Barcelona’s search for a striker will be closely monitored, particularly given the financial parameters within which the club must operate. The identities of any serious targets are likely to become clearer in the coming weeks as the current season draws to a close.