Barcelona's pursuit of a new striker has taken a surprising and dramatic turn. With the club struggling to consistently convert chances and the long-term future of Robert Lewandowski uncertain, reports from Italy confirm that the Blaugrana have already held talks with the agents of Moise Kean, the Fiorentina striker.
The 25-year-old Italian international has endured a tumultuous start to the 2025/26 season, which has opened the door for a shock January exit—and Barcelona are lining up to exploit the situation.
The Barcelona Rationale: A Low-Cost, High-Reward Strategy
Why is Barcelona suddenly focusing on a striker who is currently struggling in Serie A?
The answer lies in their financial constraints and their need for a specific profile:
Lewandowski Successor: While the club is exploring options for 2026 (including Lewandowski's eventual free agent departure),
they need a younger forward who can learn from the Polish maestro now. Kean, despite his inconsistent past at Everton and PSG, enjoyed a stellar 2024/25 campaign, scoring 25 goals and proving he has elite goalscoring potential.
January Bargain: Kean's struggles this season (just 2 goals and 1 assist in 13 appearances for a relegation-threatened Fiorentina side)
have tanked his market value. Fiorentina had previously set a release clause of €62 million, but the club is now reportedly open to negotiating a much lower fee—potentially under €40 million—for a January sale to generate crucial funds.
The Agent Talks: The news that Barcelona has already initiated contact with Kean's agent, potentially regarding a loan or a January transfer, suggests their interest is concrete and driven by the player's current availability and frustration.
Kean's Fiorentina Crisis
For Kean, the situation in Florence has become unsustainable. Despite being a key figure, the striker's frustration has boiled over, visible in recent on-pitch arguments with teammates over set-pieces.
Relegation Battle: Fiorentina is surprisingly battling at the bottom of Serie A, a situation that contrasts sharply with Kean's ambition to be a fixture in the Italian national team ahead of the 2026 World Cup playoffs.
The New Coach Factor: The recent sacking of Stefano Pioli and the arrival of Paolo Vanoli have not immediately sparked a revival, leaving the club's board open to selling their star player if it raises cash and reduces squad tensions.
The Obstacles
While the stars appear to be aligning for a move, Barcelona must navigate a tough path:
Financial Fair Play: Any substantial transfer fee will require the club to use the majority of its available winter transfer budget.
European Competition: Several Premier League clubs (including former suitors Manchester United) and Turkish giants Fenerbahce and Galatasaray have shown interest in the past. If Kean's form improves slightly before January, a bidding war could quickly drive the price back up.
The prospect of Kean moving to Barcelona in January is fueled by desperation on both sides: Barcelona needs a solution to their aging strike force, and Kean needs a lifeline to resurrect his international career.
This could be one of the most unpredictable and dramatic transfers of the window.
Do you think Moise Kean has the mentality to succeed at a club the size of Barcelona?