Barcelona sporting director Deco has hinted at a potential swoop for Manchester City's Erling Haaland.
With the Spanish giants' main talisman Robert Lewandowski being 36 years of age, the club may be forced into finding a replacement for the striker.
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Despite his age, the former Bayern Munich attacker looks to still be on top of his game, as evidenced by the 19 goals and two assists in 17 appearances across all competitions he has managed to amass so far this season.
The Poland international also tops the LALIGA scoring chart, outshining the likes of Real Madrid star Vinicius Junior and Kylian Mbappe.
Lewandowski joined the Catalan giants in 2022 and in his first season with the side, he finished top scorer as he helped them to a league title.
However, with the clock ticking on his career, Deco admitted that trying to find a replacement for the veteran forward would be a very difficult task.
"We have to think about what we have to do now and not what we have to do in the future because what happens this season can condition your future," the Barca chief said per Mundo Deportivo.
"It is not worth it to just think about the future. The work for the future is being done, it is being fulfilled. What I hope is that Lewandowski continues at the same level that he is showing. For me he is one of the best professionals I have ever seen in my life.
"It is not by chance that he is where he is and that he has scored all the goals he has scored or that he is at his level at 36 years old."
The former midfielder also highlighted Haaland as a player who is on a similar level to the Polish attacker.
"I think it is very difficult to find a striker like Robert today," Deco added.
"There are one or two at this level. Maybe Haaland or another one. There are not so many at this level available.
"But we are not going to focus on looking for any striker now because we are going to focus first on what Robert can do. I certainly think he is happy to be here. He is a winner and if we have a good season I think he will want to stay."
The Portuguese went on to add that they are not presently looking for a striker, but will have to make that decision when the time comes.
"First we have to know if Haaland is what we want in the future. We don't know now. Right now we don't want any 'nine'. We have Robert. We're not planning anything with any 'nine,'" he continued.
"When the time comes to make a decision and I have to make it because I'm the one at the club, we'll consider the options. But I don't think it's the time to talk about any player."
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