Barcelona sporting director Deco has made clear the club will not rush a decision on Robert Lewandowski and warned supporters against fixating on a marquee replacement such as Erling Haaland. Deco told Catalunya Ràdio that talks over the striker’s future will take place later in the campaign and that the club is taking a measured approach.

“We’re not going to talk about renewals in October,” he said. “We’re going step by step.

“[Lewandowski] is one of the best forwards of recent years, a top-level player. He’s helped us a lot. He’s scored more than 40 goals, but we’ll analyze that later. It’s time to talk about recovering injured players.”

The door to a short-term extension for Lewandowski, who has four goals in seven games this season, remains open, Deco confirmed, but the club will prioritise other issues before making a decision on a contract renewal.

Deco also sought to dampen talk linking Barcelona to big-money forwards such as Haaland or Alvarez. He questioned whether the team requires a traditional centre forward and pointed to alternative models used elsewhere in Europe.

He cited Paris Saint-Germain’s use of Ousmane Dembélé in a more fluid attacking role and highlighted Ferran Torres, who has scored five goals in all competitions during 2025–26, as a player capable of occupying similar spaces.

“If someone told me there was someone like Lewandowski on the market, we’d go for him,” Deco conceded. “But I don’t think this is the time to talk about signings.

“We have Ferran right now, who can fill that role. And we shouldn’t obsess. If you look at PSG, they’ve won a Champions League title without a number 9 in the box.

“Obsessing over that is a mistake, and it’s not the time to talk about this.”

Deco’s comments signal a cautious stance from the club: acknowledge Lewandowski’s contribution, keep renewal discussions for later, and resist an immediate hunt for a like-for-like superstar.

Real Madrid have reportedly become suitors for Crystal Palace centre back Marc Guéhi, joining Liverpool, Barcelona and Bayern Munich in a growing list of interested clubs. Guéhi is in the final 12 months of his contract with Crystal Palace and attracted transfer attention after a move to Merseyside collapsed on deadline day last month.

The centre back had reportedly agreed personal terms with Liverpool, but Palace were unable to find an adequate replacement and the transfer fell through. The England international remains one of the most sought after players on the market. While a January departure is viewed as unlikely, his status as a free agent in June could open the door for a move to one of Europe’s biggest teams.

Real Madrid had Ibrahima Konaté at the top of their list, but after William Saliba signed a contract extension with Arsenal the 15-time European champions are reportedly exploring other options, with Guéhi emerging as a candidate. The club added Trent Alexander-Arnold, Dean Huijsen and Álvaro Carreras this past summer, yet sources say they still aim to bring in at least one defensive reinforcement for 2026.

Both Antonio Rüdiger and David Alaba are in the final 12 months of their contracts and, according to reports, the club has not moved to offer extensions to either player. Should those veterans depart next summer, Real Madrid would be left with just three first-team centre backs. With Éder Militão’s history of injuries and Raúl Asencio’s inconsistent performances, the club may seek a physically strong, reliable centre back for the 2026–27 season.

Guéhi fits the profile outlined by the reports, but Real Madrid will face competition and a persuasive challenge. The England international was, according to recent coverage, just hours away from joining Liverpool in September, suggesting any suitor will have to overcome strong interest and recent near-misses to secure his signing.

Ronald Araújo reportedly turned down multiple moves during the summer transfer window as Barcelona considered his exit. Nothing materialised and his release clause reverted to its original, sizeable figure.

The Uruguayan defender made clear he wanted to remain at Barcelona after a difficult 2024–25 season and aimed to return to his best with the only European club he has played for. Upon returning from vacation for Barcelona’s preseason training, Araújo was asked if he would continue with the club, simply answering, “If it’s up to me, yes.” His current contract runs through the end of the 2030–31 season.

Araújo missed six months during the 2024–25 campaign and struggled to find his best form on his return. He was never able to fully lock down a spot in Hansi Flick’s lineup and was later deemed the main culprit for Barcelona’s Champions League elimination against Inter Milan.

As the 2025–26 season progresses the defender is fighting for a starting role. In the aftermath of Iñigo Martínez’s departure, Araújo’s presence within the squad grew in importance and he has started Barcelona’s last three league games, wearing the captain’s armband on each occasion.

Despite those starts and the increased responsibility, Eric García and Pau Cubarsí appear to be Hansi Flick’s preferred centre back pairing, based on how the manager has deployed personnel in the bigger matches so far this term. Araújo’s decision to reject summer approaches and commit to regaining form places him in direct competition for minutes as Barcelona balance experience, recent form and tactical choices.

The coming weeks will determine whether Araújo can translate his commitment into consistent selection and reclaim a regular starting role under Flick for the current campaign.