Barça targets a Newcastle 'star' as Lewandowski's successor

FC Barcelona does not want to waste time in the search for a possible successor to Robert Lewandowski. With an eye on the summer of 2025, there are several scorers on the azulgrana radar who could replace the Polish international, assuming that, by July, Barça will have enough money and salary margin to sign under the 1/1 rule. This is how the latest rumors point to the culé interest in Alexander Isak, who had a great first half of the season with Newcastle.

Although Joan Laporta dreams of Erling Haaland and Deco seems to have negotiations well underway with Viktor Gyöekres, the Swedish striker emerges as a more than interesting alternative. Isak knows LaLiga very well from his time at Real Sociedad (he scored 44 goals in 132 matches) and, after two and a half seasons in the Premier League, he seems ready to take the leap to a European giant.

The problem for Barça lies in his high price. The 25-year-old striker has a contract until 2028 and Newcastle is not considering letting him go for less than 100 million euros. The Solna native has scored 47 goals in 86 official matches with the 'Magpies', justifying the 70 'kilos' that the club paid to Real Sociedad in 2022 for his transfer. 

Arsenal and Chelsea, Barça's main rivals for Alexander Isak

Additionally, the azulgrana team will face very tough competition for Isak if they decide to enter the bidding for him. According to 'Sky Sports', Arsenal and Chelsea are very interested in the Swedish international, with the 'Gunners' being the most eager to incorporate a '9' in 2025. Mikel Arteta's side could make an offer in the first days of January for the '14' of Newcastle, following the steps of a Manchester City willing to shake up the winter market with at least four reinforcements.

Meanwhile, at St. James Park, a tense calm reigns, hoping to retain their scorer at least until next summer. Alexander has 12 goals and 4 assists in 19 matches (1,523 minutes) this season with Eddie Howe's team, 11 of them in the Premier League (he is the fourth top scorer in the tournament). The 'Magpies' are in fifth place in the table, five points from the 'Champions zone'. Isak's absence could be lethal for the club's European aspirations.