Barcelona face SHOCK Lewandowski transfer threat

Tom Weber

• Updated: 5 Jun 2023 18:59 BST
• 3 min read

Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski is attracting interest from Saudi Arabia, according to various reports.

The Polish striker fired the Blaugrana to their first LaLiga title since 2019 with his 23 league goals, but he could be on his way out already after just one season - at least according to reports in Germany and Spain.

The veteran striker arrived from Bayern Munich in a deal worth €45 million last summer and he has certainly been a success story despite the fact that this transfer worsened Barcelona's already dire economic situation. Their financial problems could, however, be alleviated if those fresh reports turn out to be true.

Sky Germany are claiming that the 34-year-old is wanted by Saudi Arabia, though a club wasn't named. Spanish journalist Javi Miguel then followed up on this by saying: "For Saudi Arabia, signing Lewandowski is easy. His release clause is €500m."

READ: Messi to Barcelona is ON - and wife Antonela played vital role

Such a fee could wipe away Barcelona's economic worries at once, but it is highly doubtful that any club - even a Saudi club (or the government) - would activate his release clause given the fee involved, the player's age and his lower profile compared to the likes of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Saudi Arabia's transfer offensive

Nevertheless, there is a good chance that, besides Messi, some former Barcelona players will arrive in Saudi Arabia this summer. Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano recently revealed that the two legends who will depart the Camp Nou this year, Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets, have Saudi offers.

Moreover, the Italian claimed that Chelsea's N'Golo Kante could also be on his way to the Middle East, as could former Liverpool man Iago Aspas. Ex-Arsenal star Alexis Sanchez also has suitors in Saudi Arabia.

READ: Messi and Ronaldo to be joined by SEVEN stars in Saudi Pro League – Romano

These transfers are part of a concerted effort to lure more stars to the country in order to raise the profile of the league, but also to gain sympathy for a country with a spotty human rights record. Ronaldo was the first arrival, Karim Benzema will be the next and Messi could also soon be forced to accept the Saudi offer since Barcelona still do not have approval from LaLiga to submit an official offer.