Barcelona suffer major transfer blow as Lewandowski replacement shuts door on summer exit

A new report from SPORT has confirmed a development that significantly impacts Barcelona’s long-term planning for the No. 9 position. 

Harry Kane, long admired by the Catalan club as a potential successor to Robert Lewandowski, has informed Bayern Munich that he will not activate his exit clause for the summer of 2026. 

This clause, valued at €65 million, would have allowed Kane to leave ahead of schedule, but the England captain has made it clear he intends to remain in Germany for at least another season.

Back to square one

Barcelona had been keeping a close eye on Kane’s situation in recent months, anticipating that Lewandowski’s future could open the door for a new striker at the end of the campaign. 

However, with Kane choosing not to push for a move, that possibility has now evaporated. 

The Blaugrana were only in the exploratory phase and had not advanced any formal steps, partly because Kane was required to communicate his decision to Bayern by January.

Kane’s entourage had quietly evaluated potential destinations while maintaining Bayern as the priority. 

Harry Kane will not leave Bayern Munich. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)

Interest from several Premier League clubs was strong, and two Saudi Arabian teams were reportedly prepared to pay the full €65 million clause. 

Barcelona were also considered an option, although the club’s salary-cap challenges and broader financial limitations made such an operation extremely complex. 

Ultimately, Kane dismissed the idea of an early Premier League return, rejected Saudi proposals, and decided against pursuing a move to Barcelona.

With Kane off the table, Barcelona’s search for a future centre-forward remains unresolved. 

Interest in Julian Alvarez has cooled due to Atletico Madrid’s valuation and the player’s irregular campaign. 

The market offers very few elite-level strikers within Barça’s reach, leading the sporting department to consider a forward-thinking investment rather than an immediate star signing.