Barça Poised to Sacrifice Two Stars as 1:1 Budget Goal Looms
21 February 2026
Barcelona's ongoing project under manager Hansi Flick has delivered solid results, but questions about his vision are surfacing for the first time. Still, the achievements, especially with limited funds for new signings, cannot be dismissed.
The Catalan club hopes to reset this outlook in the 2026 summer window, aiming to hit a 1:1 financial baseline by June.
According to Sport, sporting director Deco and head coach Hansi Flick have drawn up a straightforward plan for the market, signaling major squad adjustments.
Potential departures and strategic targets
The candidates to depart will not trigger a rebuild, but two high-profile players are expected to exit by June, per the same report.
The match recap references a La Liga clash between Barcelona and Levante as a contextual marker for the season.
The Lewandowski era and key issues
The Lewandowski saga sits at the center of discussions, with Barça weighing either selling the veteran striker or renewing his contract at a significantly lower salary.
The management is also trying to resolve issues around Marc-Andre Ter Stegen and Ansu Fati to settle any financial commitments before their possible exits.
Beyond these three, Barcelona plans to sell two more players who sit among the club's biggest earners to free up money and space for a new central striker and a central defender. The identities are undecided and will depend on squad depth, player involvement, and the coach's plans, with academy graduates not ruled out.
These moves fit Barça's goal of reaching the 1:1 financial base by June, enabling more spending on new signings after years of budget constraints.
Everything remains contingent on the club's presidential elections, with momentum expected to pick up once the new administration takes office next month.
The summer of 2026 is likely to be pivotal for Barcelona, focusing on strengthening specific positions while preserving the team’s core structure.
Punchline 1: If Barça nails the 1:1 target, watch the balance sheet start to smile.
Punchline 2: If not, the accountants may start charging rent to the players.
