Lewandowski, Raphinha join Barcelona: what will Xavi’s line-up be?
Supported by Ferran Torres and fellow new boy Raphinha, Robert Lewandowski promises to bring devastating goalscoring prowess to the Barcelona attack.
With Robert Lewandowski now set to join Barcelona, the LaLiga giants are poised to add real goalscoring firepower to their attack. The Poland striker arrives at the Camp Nou to complete a front three that promises to be devastating, with Raphinha on the right and Ferran Torres on the left.
$1bn release clause for Raphinha
Barcelona president Joan Laporta could not hide his satisfaction during the presentation of Raphinha, knowing that he was about to secure the signing of Lewandowski. Brazil international Raphinha, who arrives from Leeds United, has signed a five-year contract at Barça - a deal that includes a release clause of $1bn. Last season, he scored 11 goals and supplied three assists in 36 appearances.
Lewandowski a two-time FIFA world player of the year
For his part, Lewandowski, 33, arrives with a track record of winning trophies and awards; his accolades include FIFA’s The Best Men’s Player prize in 2020 and 2021. The top scorer in the Bundesliga in each of the past five seasons, he racked up 50 goals in all competitions for Bayern in 2021/22. The new signings up front will be assisted by Ferran, who joined Barça in January this year from Manchester City.
How the rest of Xavi’s Barcelona team is shaping up
Marc-André ter Stegen remains the goalkeeper in Blaugrana boss Xavi Hernández’s first-choice XI.
In defence, one notable move by the Camp Nou coach is to give Sergiño Dest another opportunity to prove himself. He could end up fighting for the right-back berth with César Azpilicueta. At centre-back, Gerard Piqué could compete with Jules Koundé, if the Frenchman ends up signing from Sevilla. Ronald Araújo can be expected to continue as the left-sided central defender, with Jordi Alba at left-back.
In a midfield led by the veteran Sergio Busquets, Xavi looks set to once more place his confidence in the youngsters Gavi and Pedri.