Lewandowski signing a big boost for Barcelona

The soccer transfer market in Spain, which is somewhat less active than the fans would like for various reasons, an important one of which is the different tax treatment of the game in the countries of the five major leagues (a subject to which I will return), has been boosted with the signing of Lewandowski by Barcelona. President Laporta, combining what Valdano called ‘steely optimism’ with Mateo Alemany’s abilities in the market, has managed to pick up a major prize. Bayern have made it clear that the departure of their veteran striker is detrimental to them, which adds an extra touch of entertainment to the matter. Almost nobody in Spain likes Bayern.

It’s true that he’s 33 years old, but that has become less important as time goes by, you just have to look at Benzema. Lewandowski’s arrival, in addition, has been accompanied by that of Raphinha and the renewal of Dembélé, who saw reason once it was verified that, to his surprise, there was no fighting for his signature among the big clubs of Europe. Yesterday I spoke to a friend who is a Barcelona fan on the sorry attacking line-ups Xavi had to put out in his first matches; between injuries and other issues he had to rely on Jutglà, Abde and Ilias. Griezmann had left to allow De Jong to come in, Agüero was out injured and Coutinho left after his uselessness was proven.

Memphis was the most efficient up front. As of now, after the winter moves and the summer transfer market, Xavi can put out two formidable attacking line-ups: Raphinha-Lewandowski-Ansu Fati (let’s hope he finally gets fully fit) and Dembélé-Aubameyang-Ferran Torres; plus the midfield of the Spanish national side, Gavi-Busquets-Pedri and a defense in which at least Lenglet is no longer present, that ludicrous penalty creator. It’s all looking good... unless everything turns out to be castles in the air. Laporta is still looking for two departures to sort the squad out for the season, with the club wanting one of them to be De Jong, who is not keen at all right now...