Transfer Centre

Barcelona 'considering Robert Lewandowski sale to fund Bruno Guimaraes pursuit'

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 16 December 2023

Barcelona 'considering Lewandowski sale to fund Guimaraes pursuit'

Barcelona are reportedly prepared to consider offers for Robert Lewandowski as a means of trying to raise funds for Newcastle United's Bruno Guimaraes next summer.

Barcelona will allegedly consider offers for Robert Lewandowski as a means of trying to raise funds for Newcastle United's Bruno Guimaraes next summer.

The Catalan giants failed to sign a direct, high-profile replacement for the departing Sergio Busquets in the most recent window, adding Oriol Romeu and Ilkay Gundogan to their ranks.

Without Busquets marshalling the midfield, La Blaugrana have fallen behind their rivals in their bid to make it back-to-back La Liga titles, sitting seven points below surprise leaders Girona in fourth place.

Xavi's side went down 4-2 to the early-season pace-setters last weekend and suffered their second successive defeat in midweek, losing 3-2 to Royal Antwerp in the Champions League, although they had already sealed first place in their group before the final matchday.

Another midfield enforcer is believed to be high on Barcelona's shopping list for 2024, and they are believed to be keeping a close eye on Guimaraes, but the Brazilian will not arrive in Catalonia on the cheap.

Newcastle United's Bruno Guimaraes applauds the fans after being substituted on August 12, 2023 © Reuters

Back in October, Guimaraes extended his Newcastle contract until the summer of 2028, but the Magpies allegedly agreed to insert a £100m release clause into the 26-year-old's deal to offer him an exit route.

Still reeling from their financial difficulties, Barcelona would not ordinarily be able to fork out such an astronomical amount, but the Spanish champions could consider some big-name sales to raise the necessary funds.

According to FootballTransfers, Barca are prepared to consider offers for Lewandowski, who is the club's highest earner and is under contract until the summer of 2026 with the option of an additional year.

After ending his glittering spell at Bayern Munich, Lewandowski won the La Liga Golden Boot in his debut campaign with 23 goals in the top flight, in addition to setting up seven goals during the Blaugrana's title charge.

The 35-year-old has a respectable nine goals and four assists to show from 19 games in all tournaments this season, although he trails Jude Bellingham (12), Antoine Griezmann and Borja Mayoral (both nine) in the scoring charts.

FC Barcelona's Robert Lewandowski celebrates scoring their first goal with Jules Kounde on December 10, 2023 © Reuters

The Saudi Pro League is believed to be the most likely destination for Lewandowski should he be moved on by Barcelona next summer, and he could even leave as a free agent in 2025 due to a clause in his contract.

Lewandowski's departure would free up plenty of space on Barcelona's wage bill for Guimaraes, who was allegedly left enraged at Newcastle's exit from the Champions League in midweek, as a 2-1 loss to AC Milan saw the Magpies finish fourth in their group.

While the ex-Lyon man is understood to be happy in Newcastle, he has a burning desire to play in the Champions League and will consider offers from foreign clubs if the Magpies do not make it into the top four this season.

Furthermore, Guimaraes - who was the subject of interest from Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain this summer - has always pined for a move to Barcelona, who could apparently part ways with Romeu as early as next year.

The Catalan giants are also among the clubs monitoring Royal Antwerp's 18-year-old wonderkid Arthur Vermeeren, who scored the opening goal in his side's Champions League win over Barca in midweek.