Barcelona to release Lewandowski: Rashford may stay.

Barcelona will not extend Lewandowski's contract

According to The Sun: Spanish media reports that Barcelona club does not plan to extend Robert Lewandowski's contract, which expires next season.

At the same time, the Catalans are interested in keeping Marcus Rashford in the team.

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Lewandowski, who is 37 years old, signed a contract with Barcelona in 2022 for 42.5 million pounds and scored 105 goals in 156 matches in his debut season.

Despite a successful start, Sport reports that the club decided not to offer a new deal to the striker. Barcelona's management believes that Lewandowski is no longer showing the necessary intensity of play and is gradually losing form, although he has already scored four goals in three matches this season.

An important factor is also Lewandowski's high salary - he is among the highest-paid players in the club's financially difficult situation.

The club's sports director Deco was reluctant to comment on the future of the striker:

“We will not talk about contract extensions in October. We are taking things step by step. He is one of the best strikers of recent years, a top player. He has helped us a lot.”

Impressions of Rashford

Rashford makes a positive impression on the club's management. It is known that Barcelona bosses were "thrilled" with his game.

Initially, they had doubts about why Manchester United let him go so easily, but later they evaluated his work ethic and talent.

Barcelona has the opportunity to make a permanent deal at the end of the season, ready to pay initially 25 million pounds plus 5 million in bonuses.

Given the likelihood of Lewandowski's departure from the club, Rashford's chances of a permanent move to Barcelona look quite good.

Germany's national team coach Hansi Flick highly praised Rashford:

“I told Deco in the summer: 'Bring me Rashford, bring me Rashford, please.' We needed a player like that.”

In light of recent events at Barcelona, it becomes clear that the club is making serious changes in the squad that could significantly affect its sporting ambitions. The loss of Lewandowski, one of the leading strikers, may force the club to look for new strategies, while the prospects of Rashford suggest the team's desire to bring in fresh ideas and new talents. How all these decisions will impact the team's performance will determine Barcelona's future on the international stage.