Barcelona fails to sign Aubameyang and Hansi Flick will have to scramble to replace Lewandowski

Veteran striker signs with Marseille after Barça delays; club may close window without a new center forward

Barcelona’s search for a backup to Robert Lewandowski has hit a major setback after former striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang turned down a return to Camp Nou and signed with Olympique de Marseille. The Catalan club is now in a race against time to find an alternative, as manager Hansi Flick prepares for a demanding season without a proper No. 9 in reserve.

According to Fichajes, Barça approached Aubameyang, who was a free agent and open to rejoining the club. However, the Spanish side failed to act swiftly, allowing Marseille to swoop in and complete the signing on July 31st.

Hansi Flick Concerned Over Lack of Striker Depth

With pre-season underway, Flick has expressed concern about Robert Lewandowski’s workload. The 35-year-old striker is not expected to feature in every match due to age and fitness management. While Ferran Torres has occasionally filled in as a false nine, the German coach prefers having a natural center forward to rotate the position effectively.

Last season highlighted the need for a traditional striker to maintain attacking balance and offer aerial presence something Barcelona lacked when Lewandowski was unavailable.

Nicolas Jackson Deal Falls Through Due to Price Tag

Another name internally discussed by the club was Nicolas Jackson from Chelsea. The Senegal international is reportedly on the market following the arrival of Brazilian forward João Pedro at Stamford Bridge.

However, financial constraints made it difficult for Barcelona to proceed. Jackson’s transfer fee, combined with salary demands, placed him out of reach for the Blaugrana, who continue to navigate tight spending limits under La Liga’s financial fair play rules.

Lewandowski Committed to Barça Despite Saudi Interest

Despite the striker shortage, Barcelona can still count on Lewandowski’s loyalty. According to GOAL, the Polish star received multiple offers from Saudi Pro League clubs but chose to stay in Europe. He reportedly turned down lucrative deals, believing he can still play a key role at Barcelona and help lead the club in both La Liga and Champions League campaigns.

Barça Risks Entering Season Without a True Backup No. 9

As it stands, the chances of signing a center forward before the window closes are diminishing. Unless Barcelona accelerates negotiations in the coming days, Hansi Flick may be forced to rely on internal solutions including deploying Ferran Torres or Anssumane Fati in central roles to ease the pressure on Lewandowski.

The club’s late-market struggles reflect broader squad-building challenges under a new managerial era and ongoing financial limits.