As Barcelona look to bounce back from their El Clasico defeat, focus has shifted towards player fitness, form, and the club’s long-term planning under Hansi Flick.
The Catalans are preparing for a crucial run of fixtures that could shape their La Liga season, with squad rotation and player management becoming more important than ever.
Meanwhile, the club’s transfer strategy for next summer is already taking shape, as reports continue to link and unlink several big names with moves to and from Camp Nou.
With the January window approaching, speculation over experienced players and their futures in Barcelona is intensifying once again.
One of those players now at the centre of renewed discussion is Robert Lewandowski, whose future at Barcelona has become increasingly uncertain.
According to SPORT, Manchester United have officially ended their pursuit of the Polish striker, putting an end to months of speculation linking him with a sensational move to Old Trafford.
Robert Lewandowski, who remains under contract with Barcelona until 2026, could still leave before then, as the club has yet to open talks over an extension.
At 37, the veteran forward has made it clear that he intends to keep competing at the highest level, but there are growing doubts about whether he will see out his deal in Spain.
United, who were once viewed as frontrunners for his signature, have now stepped away after Sir Jim Ratcliffe reportedly vetoed any move for ageing players, reinforcing his new vision of building a younger, future-oriented squad.
It’s understood that Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim admired Lewandowski’s professionalism and viewed him as a potential short-term mentor for Rasmus Hojlund and the club’s other young forwards.
However, with Ratcliffe’s strict recruitment stance, Amorim’s hopes of landing the Barcelona striker have been dashed.
As for Lewandowski, his focus remains on contributing to Barcelona despite a slow start to the season hampered by minor injuries.
Sources close to the player claim he would be open to taking a pay cut to remain at the club, though his long-term role under Flick remains unclear.
With Juventus and AC Milan both monitoring his situation, Barcelona are expected to make a definitive call on his future at the end of the campaign, one that could mark the end of an era for one of Europe’s most prolific goal-scorers.
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