Lewandowski set to leave Barcelona on a free, with Juventus leading the race

What happened

Robert Lewandowski is set to leave Barcelona on a free transfer when his contract expires on 30 June, with the club having opted against an extension on the veteran's terms. Juventus have emerged as the frontrunners to sign the 37-year-old, according to reporting from Italian and Spanish media, with AC Milan also keeping watch; no move has been finalised.

Why it matters

The departure closes a prolific chapter at Barcelona, where Lewandowski remained a reliable scorer even at the back end of his career, contributing 17 goals in all competitions this season, 12 of them in La Liga. His exit accelerates a forward-line refresh already under way at the club, which has signed Anthony Gordon and is reported to be chasing a new central striker. For a suitor such as Juventus, a goalscorer of his pedigree available without a fee is a rare opportunity.

Context

Lewandowski joined Barcelona from Bayern Munich in the summer of 2022 and quickly became their attacking focal point, but talks over a new deal broke down, with the player understood to believe he can still compete at the highest level. He will be free to agree terms with any club as his contract runs down, and reports have linked him with offers from Italy as well as interest from further afield.

What to watch next

The immediate question is where Lewandowski lands and how quickly, with Juventus the names most strongly attached and Milan in the background. Also worth tracking is how Barcelona move to replace him — Julián Álvarez and João Pedro are among the targets reported in the Spanish press — and whether the Poland striker commits to his next club before or after the European window formally opens.