Barcelona's Bold Bet: Africa's Rising Striker Eyong Could Be Lewandowski's Replacement
11 October 2025
Barcelona's Bold Bet: Africa's Rising Striker Eyong Could Be Lewandowski's Replacement
Barcelona is actively seeking a new forward to lead the attack after Robert Lewandowski, who is 37 and nearing the end of his contract.
The Spanish club has reportedly turned its attention to Cameroonian sensation Karl Etta Eyong, who has lit up La Liga this season with standout performances for Villarreal and Levante.
According to Mundo Deportivo, Eyong is among the most promising talents in the division, with the 21-year-old delivering a notable scoring and assisting tally and drawing interest from major clubs.
The Cameroonian forward has tallied five goals and created three assists so far this campaign, a stat line that has put him on Barca's radar.
Barça believes Eyong possesses the attributes they want in a future frontman: physicality, intelligent runs, and rapid development at a young age that could fit their system.
The club also sees him as a smart long-term investment, particularly given the current limitations in attack options as Lewandowski ages and the squad rebuilds.
Transfer rules add a complication. FIFA's regulations allow a player to register with up to three clubs in a season but to play officially for only two, making a January move to Barcelona legally tricky since Eyong began the season with Villarreal before moving to Levante.
That means a move in January is unlikely; a summer transfer could be possible if Barca resolves its financial constraints after the so-called fair play era and as English clubs monitor the talent.
Meanwhile, Eyong's potential arrival sits within a broader African lineage at Camp Nou, a tradition that includes Eto'o, Keita, Song, and Yaya Touré, and it hints at a possible continuation of that legacy if he arrives in the future.
Barça's pursuit reflects a clear sporting vision: rebuild the attack with young, high-potential players who can grow in sync with the team's style.
Eyong is valued not only for his physical attributes but also for his ability to operate in deeper areas and quickness in the box—a combination the club believes could flourish in Barcelona's setup.
From Eto'o to Toure and beyond, Africa has left an enduring imprint at Camp Nou, and Eyong could be the next chapter in that African saga if the stars align.
In short, Eyong's name is now synonymous with a strategic bet by Barcelona—one that could reshape the Catalan club's attack for years to come, provided the legal and financial pieces fall into place.
Punchline 1: If Eyong signs, Barca will finally have a striker who can outrun their press conferences. Punchline 2: If not, at least the rumor mill keeps the fans caffeinated until summer.
