Barcelona Alter Transfer Focus, Guirassy No Longer on Shortlist

Key Takeaways:

• Barcelona are searching for a new central striker for next summer due to uncertainty surrounding Robert Lewandowski’s future
• Serhou Guirassy is no longer viewed as the primary candidate following a shift in the club’s sporting strategy
• Premier League clubs, with Manchester United, Chelsea, and Arsenal interested, have not yet acted on Guirassy’s €65 million release clause for next summer

Barcelona Refines Striker Search Amid Lewandowski Uncertainty

Barcelona have begun the search for a new central striker ahead of next summer, as speculation increases regarding Robert Lewandowski’s future at the club. The Polish forward has remained non-committal about his plans, and Catalan sources indicate that he will not be offered a new contract. The task of identifying an ideal replacement is seen as a formidable challenge for the Catalan giants.

🚨 EXCLUSIVE 🚨

Serhou Guirassy will have a €50m release clause this January!

BUT…it's only available to a select group of elite clubs.

More to follow… pic.twitter.com/dHpDL2EfTX

— CaughtOffside (@caughtoffside) November 20, 2025

Potential Candidates and Shift in Strategy

In recent transfer windows, Barcelona have been connected with several prominent forwards as possible successors to Lewandowski. Names previously linked include Alexander Isak and Benjamin Šeško. More recently, Julián Álvarez and Erling Haaland have emerged in discussions as aspirational signings. On a more pragmatic level, Harry Kane, Fisnik Asllani, and Serhou Guirassy were considered to be feasible targets for the Spanish side.

However, reports emerging from Spain state that Serhou Guirassy is no longer being evaluated as Barcelona’s primary option. The club has reportedly “changed its sporting strategy”, eliminating the Guinean international as a principal target. Guirassy was closely associated with new head coach Hansi Flick’s style preferences, as Flick is keen on a physically robust centre-forward. Notably, Guirassy impressed against Barcelona last season, netting five goals across three fixtures, which had previously positioned him prominently on their shortlist.

Premier League Interest and Release Clause Details

While Paris Saint-Germain are continuing to monitor Guirassy’s circumstances, the strongest interest comes from the Saudi Pro League. Guirassy’s contract reportedly includes a €65 million release clause applicable for next summer, and a €50 million clause available in January, though only specific European clubs are eligible to activate it. Among Premier League suitors, Manchester United, Chelsea, and Arsenal are named as interested parties, but all three clubs have yet to advance negotiations or make formal moves for the striker.