Barcelona Target Dream Striker to Fill Lewandowski's Boots as Polish Star's Successor

Barcelona have allegedly pinpointed Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane as their "primary objective" to succeed Robert Lewandowski when the Polish forward's deal concludes in 2026.

Lewandowski's destiny has become a pressing matter of debate this campaign. As the 37-year-old approaches free agency and advances in age, his participation for Barcelona has diminished.

The previous season's top goalscorer with an impressive 42 strikes in all tournaments has managed a decent seven this term, but—more significantly—he has only received five starting opportunities. Fitness issues and Hansi Flick's trust in Ferran Torres have led to Lewandowski's new status as something less than a guaranteed starter.

Multiple sources suggest that Barcelona will allow Lewandowski's agreement to reach its natural end in June, while the striker himself hasn't provided any definitive clues about his plans. The search for a No. 9 replacement has already commenced and it seems Kane's name sits atop the priority list, as reported by The Guardian.

The Bayern Munich forward, who possesses an extraordinary record of 108 strikes in 113 appearances for the German giants, remains under contract until 2026. Nevertheless, his agreement allegedly contains a release clause valued at €65 million (£57.2 million, $75.3 million). The report indicates that Barcelona "could very well be willing" to activate this provision.

The conditions of this buyout clause apparently require Kane to officially notify Bayern of his intention to depart this winter before leaving next summer.

It's clear why Barcelona would pursue a versatile striker breaking records previously established by Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, who is five years younger than Lewandowski and significantly more inventive. But whether Kane would embrace such an offer remains entirely uncertain.

Would Harry Kane Leave Bayern Munich?

Spanish outlets indicate that Kane is "contemplating" a switch to Catalonia but the England skipper has dismissed rumors publicly. "I'm extremely content here in Munich," the 32-year-old stated last month. "[Departing] isn't something I'm contemplating."

Kane seemed more receptive to discussions of a Tottenham return. "It'll forever be 'we' [with Spurs] because I dedicated my entire career there," the club's record goalscorer noted. "I'm a supporter of theirs and will always follow them and monitor their progress.

"They will forever remain part of my journey without question," he continued, "but right now, I'm thoroughly enjoying my time here."