FC Barcelona president Joan Laporta is “increasingly clear” that they will have to look for a new striker this summer, which could result in Robert Lewandowski being sold according to El Nacional.

The Pole joined Barca from Bayern Munich in a 2022 transfer worth €45 million ($49 million) and came racing out of the tracks averaging a goal a game before Qatar 2022 began in mid-November.

Since returning from the World Cup, however, Lewandowski has been a shadow of himself and criticized by the local media for going missing on Barca’s “big nights”.

Columns on this topic spread after Barca were beaten 4-0 in the second leg and knocked out of the Copa del Rey semi-finals 4-1 on aggregate by bitter rivals Real Madrid at Camp Nou last Wednesday.

After a 0-0 draw at the same ground against Girona on Easter Monday, which represented the first time that Barca have failed to score in two consecutive matches this season, El Nacional has reported that Laporta’s “toughest decision is inevitable”.

According to the Catalan digital newspaper, Laporta “believes it is necessary to sign a new striker because Lewandowski has lost his goalscoring sense and is no longer that big star who shone at Bayern Munich”.

Barca are therefore “increasingly clear that they will have to look for a new centre-forward” in the summer, with 18-year-old Brazilian wonderkid Vitor Roque top of their wish list.

Given that Barca are facing financial difficulties, however, and have been warned by La Liga to reduce their wage bill by €200 million ($218 million) ahead of next season, this won’t be straightforward.

Roque has a similar price tag to that which Lewandowski had before his switch from Bayern, and ‘Lewa’ will also be difficult to offload considering his dip in form and advanced years at 34.

Barca would therefore have to sell Lewandowski at a considerable loss if they are seriously thinking about offloading him, but his lofty salary might make this a no brainer.

According to MARCA, Lewandowski’s contract pretty much increases in pay each year until expiry in 2026. This season, he will earn a net salary of €10 million ($10.8 million) which rises to €13 million ($14 million) next term and €16 million ($17.25 million) by 2024/2025 before dropping back down to €13 million ($14 million) in 2025/2026.

Laporta needs to make a decision soon, which could seriously affect planning for first team coach Xavi Hernandez moving forward as Barca are almost certain to start their next campaign defending the La Liga title.

Pedri’s goal took Barcelona 11 points clear of Real Madrid at the top of La Liga as they beat Villarreal 1-0 on Sunday night.

Villarreal could have gone into fifth place if they had pulled off a surprise win from their starting spot in eighth place.

However, after an early scare when Robert Lewandowski fired straight at former Barcelona keeper Pepe Reina, they failed to stop the German slipping in Pedri for the opener just after the half-hour mark.

In the second half, both sides continued to press in search of another goal, with Raphinha bringing good saves from Reina twice despite being offside, and both teams also racked up yellow cards.

However neither team found their way through and Barca took the three points.

Xavi Hernandez’s men now prepare to welcome Manchester United on Thursday in the first leg of their Europa League play-off.

TALKING POINT – IS THE TITLE RACE OVER?

With 21 games played to Real’s 20, Barcelona have an 11-point lead at the top of La Liga. It appears insurmountable.

Barcelona have six straight victories in the league and their European distraction in the Europa League is far less draining than Real’s in the Champions League. Their squad, too, looks solid.

The Catalans are by far the favourites for a triumphant return to winning ways and Xavi could become a hero not just as a player, but a manager too.

PLAYER OF THE MATCH – RONALD ARAUJO (BARCELONA)

Pedri and Robert Lewandowski were threatening in attack and combined well to keep Villarreal on their toes at every moment they could manage, but Araujo’s relentless covering at the back in the second half meant that Barcelona emerged with three potentially decisive points.

PLAYER RATINGS

Villarreal: Reina 7, Albiol 6, Pau 6, Capoue 6, Foyth 6, Parejo 6, Alex Baena 6, Alberto Moreno 5, Coquelin 6, AJ Morales 6. Subs: Chukwueze 7, Mojica 6, Trigueros 6, Nino 6.

Barcelona: Ter Stegen 6, Kounde 6, Balde 6, Araujo 8, Christensen 6, De Jong 6, Kessie 6, Gavi 6, Pedri 7, Raphinha 6, Lewandowski 7. Subs: Fati, Ferran Torres 6, Alba 6. 

KEY MOMENTS

3’ – REINA SAVE – Lewandowski gets through to chase a ball over the top by Pedri, but Villarreal stands tall to block his effort.

18’ – GOAL! Villarreal 0-1 Barcelona (Pedri): Lewandowski flicks out a toe to push the ball into Pedri’s path in the box, he slips it past Reina, and the away side are ahead.

45+1’ – MORALES MISS – Steaming down the inside left, he beats the defence for pace, but sidefoots his effort into the side netting.

63’ – RAPHINHA CHANCE – Slipped in by Lewandowski with a reverse pass, the Brazilian fires a low shot just wide of the far post.

70’ – BAENA CHANCE – Ter Stegen has to get across quickly to pick out his long range effort.

87′ – NINO SHOT – Leaning back in the box, he arcs a volley wide of the near post.