Barcelona have reportedly set their sights on Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak as their top choice to succeed Robert Lewandowski as the club's central forward.
The Catalan club are planning to strengthen their attacking options and are likely to make a move for the Swedish international in the upcoming summer transfer window. Barcelona's interest in Isak comes as part of their longer-term strategy to reinforce their squad, with Lewandowski’s future at the club uncertain beyond the current season.
Isak, who has been in exceptional form for Newcastle, recently earned the Premier League Player of the Month award for December after scoring in all seven of his appearances during the month. His performances have turned heads across Europe, and Barcelona has reportedly taken note of his impressive run of form.
According to Mundo Deportivo, the Swedish striker is highly valued by Barcelona's decision-makers, and the club sees him as an ideal replacement for Lewandowski in the future. Despite interest in other top strikers, including Viktor Gyokeres and even Erling Haaland, Barcelona believe that Isak’s profile and skillset fit perfectly with their attacking needs.
However, Barcelona’s financial situation could hinder a potential move in the short term. The club is still dealing with financial difficulties and is operating under La Liga’s strict salary cap regulations. As a result, a transfer for Isak in the January window is considered unlikely.
The Catalan club hopes to ease their financial constraints by the summer, which would enable them to make a formal approach for Isak at that time. Despite the reported interest from Barcelona, the 24-year-old has been a key player for Newcastle, and securing his signature could prove challenging given his importance to the Premier League side’s attacking setup.
