Barcelona has set its sights on Osimhen and may recruit the former Napoli forward next summer, according to a report from the Catalan publication Mundo Deportivo.
Given that this season may be Lewandowski’s final one in the Blaugrana colors, the defending La Liga champions have made finding a new striker one of their top priority while making plans for the 2026–2027 campaign and beyond.
Barcelona is researching the market for potential forwards, according to football transfer news specialist Fabrizio Romano.
Romano stated, “There have been rumors from Turkey and Spain suggesting that Barcelona are considering Osimhen as one of their striker targets for summer 2026.”
It’s accurate to say that Barcelona is researching potential strikers. The situation with Robert Lewandowski’s contract is crucial since Barca is preparing for his anticipated departure when it expires.
But I can tell you that Osimhen isn’t currently in talks with any clubs. Barcelona is merely keeping an eye on a number of players, obtaining data, and getting ready for future actions. This is not active negotiation; rather, it is routine procedure.
Before the 2025–2026 season, Osimhen made a record-breaking permanent transfer from Napoli to Galatasaray. The Turkish champions battled valiantly to sign the striker permanently during the summer after he scored 37 goals in 41 games across all competitions during his loan stint in 2024–2025.
According to recent speculations, Barcelona is unlikely to extend Lewandowski’s contract, therefore they will need to revitalize its front line before the 2026–2027 season.
Lewandowski, who turned 37 in August, is no longer guaranteed a spot in head coach Hansi Flick’s starting lineup. His battles with injuries have also contributed significantly to his absence from the starting lineup.
If Osimhen’s transfer is successful, Barcelona’s financial resources will be put to the test. The Nigerian international currently makes €15 million a year, plus €5 million in image rights compensation and €1 million as a loyalty bonus.
Galatasaray spent a league-high €75 million to sign Osimhen on a four-year contract that would last until 2029.
According to Romano, Osimhen’s contract contains a clause that prohibits him from joining any Italian team for the following two years. Napoli incorporated this clause when they sold him.
Other clubs can make inquiries because that clause does not apply outside of Italy, but nothing is happening at the moment. He stated, “Barcelona is merely researching the 2026 striker market.”
Over the past several months, the Catalan powerhouses have been linked to several strikers, including Julian Alvarez, Erling Haaland, Dusan Vlahovic, Harry Kane, Karl Etta Eyong, and Serhou Guirassy.
