FC Barcelona faces a major shakeup as four key stars edge closer to shocking departures in a brutal squad clearout.
Age, contracts, injuries and reduced roles all combine to put several big names under the microscope, turning the 2025-26 campaign into a last dance for some of the most recognisable faces in the dressing room.
At the heart of this list are Robert Lewandowski, Andreas Christensen, Ronald Araujo and Marc Casado, as reported by Diario Sport.
Lewandowski will be 37 by the end of his contract in 2026, and despite rediscovering form after injury, the current feeling is that Barcelona do not intend to extend his deal, instead focusing on finding a long-term No. 9.
Christensen is in a similarly delicate spot: his contract also runs to 2026, his injury record is problematic, and his salary is considered high for a player who is no longer an undisputed starter.
Araujo’s situation is more complex. Renewed until 2031 and a symbolic figure in the squad, he has nevertheless been at the centre of criticism after costly mistakes in Europe and is now on an indefinite mental break.
If his form or comfort level does not fully recover, Barcelona could be tempted to listen to big bids in 2026, seeing him as one of the few assets capable of bringing in a major fee.
Casado, meanwhile, has seen his prominence collapse compared to last season: once trusted in huge fixtures, he now sits behind Pedri, Frenkie de Jong and even Eric Garcia, with further competition looming when Marc Bernal and Gavi are fully back.
In that context, a sale or move away in 2026 appears increasingly plausible.
Taken together, these four situations underline that 2026 could mark a sharp turning point, with Barça forced into painful but strategic choices to fund the next great team.
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