Hansi Flick surprises Barcelona fans and asks Laporta to pay any amount to secure the best striker in Europe

Hansi Flick is well aware that Barcelona urgently needs to sign a new striker, and he has urged the club to do whatever it takes to keep Robert Lewandowski, whose contract expires next June. However, Flick understands that President Joan Laporta and sporting director Deco are grappling with uncertainty, especially given Lewandowski’s age—he’s 36—and the fact that he cannot play forever, despite his impressive form.

Moreover, Lewandowski’s personal aspirations could lead him to seek a high-paying contract elsewhere, possibly leaving Barcelona in 2025 to escape media scrutiny and enjoy a fresh start. He has already attracted interest from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United States, creating a potential gap in Barcelona’s attacking lineup that would need to be filled with a top-class striker.

Reports from *El Nacional* suggest that Flick has a specific player in mind: Viktor Gyökeres. Initially, some critics doubted Gyökeres after his breakout season, fearing he might be a “one-hit wonder” like Luka Jovic or Krzysztof Piątek. However, the Swedish forward proved his critics wrong, following up his debut season with an even better campaign, becoming the standout player in Portugal’s Primeira Liga and leading Sporting Lisbon to the title.

Gyökeres has gained further recognition after scoring a hat-trick against Manchester City, impressing Pep Guardiola, who now sees him as a genuine threat. With 23 goals and 4 assists in just 17 matches this season, Gyökeres is on track to be 2024’s top scorer.

Flick is convinced that Gyökeres is the perfect replacement for Lewandowski, and he has pushed Laporta to make the deal happen by paying the €80 million release clause. While other names like Alexander Isak, Jonathan David, and Benjamin Šeško have also been mentioned as potential replacements, Gyökeres is now Barcelona’s top target, with Flick urging the club to secure his transfer at any cost.