Bayern Munich’s Robert Lewandowski and Leeds United’s Raphinha have reportedly been targeted by FC Barcelona coach Xavi to help form a bold new attack at the Nou Camp.
Real Madrid, Barcelona’s biggest rival, eased to a LaLiga title this season, and Xavi knows a crucial summer lies ahead to help close the gap.
A big part of that will be adding more quality to the front line, with Mundo Deportivo reporting that Xavi is looking for a “new trident” of Lewandowski, Raphinha, and Ansu Fati (who is already a Barca player). The attack has suffered since the departure of Lionel Messi and the retirement of Sergio Aguero.
The pursuit of Lewandowski, who has already confirmed he has no plans to sign a new deal with Bayern Munich, is no secret. Memphis Depay and Luuk de Jong are both viewed as disposable assets if Xavi can entice Lewandowski, one of Europe’s most potent strikers, to Barcelona.
Barcelona are battling financial difficulties but believe they have the means to acquire Lewandowski, with reports of a three-year contract being offered to the 33-year-old Polish striker.
Lewandowski would add to the goals provided by Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and would give Barcelona a striker feared across Europe. This could be crucial, with Real Madrid expected to sign Paris Saint-Germain superstar Kylian Mbappe on a free transfer.
In a bid to provide quality around Lewandowski, the report adds that Leeds’ Raphinha is being eyed as the man Xavi wants, particularly if no deal is struck to keep Ousmane Dembele. Talks with Dembele’s agent have been penciled in with Xavi open to getting the Frenchman on fresh terms.
But should those talks prove fruitless—president Joan Laporta has said the player is ‘tempted by other options’—Raphinha’s interest could peak. The £60million-rated Leeds winger is highly rated by Barca, who have held talks with the Brazilian agent, Deco.
Fati is already a rising star at the club but has seen this season disrupted by long-term injuries. The expectation is that Fati will be 100 per cent healthy for next season and can be a key part of a new attacking trio.
