When the Catalan Derby Gets Messy: Barcelona Target Visnik Aslani Sparks Lewandowski Replacement Talk
4 January 2026
Catalan Derby Sparks Barcelona Transfer Watch
During the Catalan derby, which Barcelona won 2-0 against Espanyol yesterday in La Liga, Visnik Aslani— Hoffenheim’s Kosovan striker and national-team player—watched from the stands at Cornellà-El Prat, reviving media reports linking him to a move to Barça.
He is a 23-year-old Kosovo international, and Barça is reportedly keeping him on a watchlist as a potential long-term attacker to boost the attack, especially with Lewandowski aging.
Aslani posted a photo showing him watching the derby from the stands on Instagram.
Barcelona have followed the player since last season, thanks to his eye-catching performances with Hoffenheim in the Bundesliga, where he excels at moving inside the box and can operate as a true striker or a secondary forward, in addition to his youth.
Reports place his release clause at roughly €25–€29 million, according to Sky Sports.
Humor corner: Sniper-level precision, he could score before the whistle even blows. Punchline 1: If Barca signs him, Lewandowski might need to learn his new understudy’s name faster than a sprint. Punchline 2: With Aslani in the squad, defenses will need a calendar to schedule all the goals.
