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Barcelona sporting director Deco addresses claims Catalan giants could move for Erling Haaland, Viktor Gyokeres

Haaland or Gyokeres? Deco addresses Barcelona's striker situation
© Imago
Barcelona sporting director Deco insists that his club are not currently looking to bring in a replacement for Robert Lewandowski.

Barcelona sporting director Deco has insisted that his club are not currently looking to bring in a replacement for Robert Lewandowski, with the striker in excellent form for the Catalan giants this season.

Lewandowski has scored 19 goals and registered two assists in 17 appearances for Barcelona during the 2024-25 campaign, and the experienced forward has a contract at Camp Nou until June 2026.

The Poland international will be 37 at the start of next season, though, and there has been a host of speculation surrounding a possible forward incoming at Barcelona next summer.

Deco has said that the club are not currently considering signing a new striker, with Lewandowski set to continue for 'at least one more season', while he was asked directly about both Erling Haaland and Viktor Gyokeres.

Sporting Lisbon's Viktor Gyokeres celebrates scoring on November 1, 2024© Imago

Lewandowski has been in red-hot form for Barcelona this season

Haaland's future at Manchester City is currently being called into question, while Gyokeres is set to leave Sporting Lisbon next summer,

"First, we have to know if Haaland is what we want for the future. We don't know that now. At the moment we don't want any nine," Deco told Mundo Deportivo.

"We have Robert. We are not planning anything with any '9'. When the time comes to make a decision, I have to make it because I am the one at the club. We will consider the options, but I don't think this is the time to talk about any player."

When asked about Gyokeres, Deco added: "He is a good player, he has been scoring goals for a long time in Portugal, we know him as well as others, but he is not our priority today, nor are we looking for a nine to replace Robert.

"We want Lewandowski to continue to be happy, scoring goals and at least to continue for one more season. We have won things and he is happy to be here. We are not going to talk about any player now."

Barcelona's Robert Lewandowski celebrates after scoring on October 1, 2024© Imago

Could Barcelona move for Haaland or Gyokeres in 2025?

Haaland has a contract at Man City until June 2027, and he has again been in strong form for the Citizens this season, scoring 15 times in 16 appearances in all competitions.

The 24-year-old is believed to be keen to move to Spain at some point in the near future, though, with Real Madrid also interested, and it is entirely possible that he will join one of the two major clubs in La Liga from Man City.

Gyokeres, though, is set to leave Sporting next summer, so Barcelona may miss the boat if they decide to wait another year before attempting to bring in the Sweden international.

Man City are said to view Gyokeres as a potential replacement for Haaland, while Manchester United are believed to have identified him as their number one striking target for 2025 following the arrival of Ruben Amorim from the Portuguese giants as their new head coach.

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Written by
Matt Law

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