Deco expected – Barcelona have confirmed Robert Lewandowski will leave in the summer, while sporting director Deco is expected at the FA Cup final in London to assess Chelsea forward Joao Pedro as the club looks for a striker to fit after the Poland captain’s departure.
Barcelona’s summer planning is moving fast, with sporting director Deco set to be in London for the FA Cup final as the Spanish champions map out their next striker chapter after confirming Robert Lewandowski will leave at the end of the season.
Deco, 48 and a former Chelsea midfielder, is expected at Wembley today to run the rule over Chelsea forward Joao Pedro. He has been in London this week for a series of meetings ahead of formulating transfer plans, with Barcelona focused on finding a striker who can fit their system.
Lewandowski’s exit was confirmed hours before the final, with the club posting a social media message titled: “Came as a star. Leaves as legend.” The 37-year-old joined Barcelona from Bayern Munich in 2022 and is now preparing for the next stage of his career.
Chelsea, for their part, are drawing a line under any assumption of an easy sale. The club insists they have no desire to sell a player who cost them £55million from Brighton a year ago.
On the pitch, Joao Pedro has been one of Chelsea’s bright spots this season, scoring 20 goals in his first campaign for the club. Barcelona see him as a prime candidate among their wider interest in new forwards for the transfer window.
The striker hunt is happening alongside Barcelona’s manager-monitoring process.. Talks have taken place with favourite Xabi Alonso over the Spaniard becoming Chelsea’s new manager. and Barcelona have also spoken to Andoni Iraola. Oliver Glasner and Marco Silva.. Even so. their pursuit of Joao Pedro does not alter the club’s continued desire to sign Marcus Rashford from Manchester United.
The Rashford push, however, sits within financial constraints. Barcelona still want to strike a cheap deal with the England international, even as they explore whether Joao Pedro can be part of their forward plans immediately after Lewandowski’s departure.
One message from Lewandowski set the tone for the emotional goodbye.. On social media platform X. the Poland legend wrote: “After four years full of challenges and hard work. it’s time to move on.” He added: “I leave with the feeling that the mission is complete.. 4 seasons. 3 championships.” Lewandowski also said: “I will never forget the love I received from the fans from my very first days.. Catalonia is my place on earth.. Thank you…. ” and he thanked President Laporta for giving him the chance to “live the most incredible chapter” of his career. adding: “Barca is back where it belongs.”
Deco’s Wembley mission and Barcelona’s public confirmation of Lewandowski’s summer exit sit side by side: as Lewandowski’s future is settled for the next chapter. Barcelona are actively looking at Joao Pedro and continuing their wider coaching and recruitment conversations with immediate and parallel momentum.
With the FA Cup final underway at Wembley, the question inside Barcelona’s orbit is no longer whether they will rebuild their attacking plans, but who they will identify to step into the role left behind by Lewandowski—starting with the Chelsea forward Deco is set to assess in person.
Barcelona Deco Robert Lewandowski Joao Pedro Chelsea FA Cup final Wembley Xabi Alonso Andoni Iraola Oliver Glasner Marco Silva Marcus Rashford