Sesco almost joined Barcelona! He locked in the succession of Lewandowski in 2026, and the financial crisis shattered his dream

Preface: Cesco joins Manchester United this summer, but he was Barcelona's key recruitment target in 2026. Lewandowski is about to leave the team in the future, and Barcelona, with financial constraints, can only find another successor to the front line.

Manchester United new aid Cesco was once Barcelona's key recruitment target in 2026? According to the Spanish media World Sports, Slovenian striker Benjamin Cesco, who joined Manchester United this summer, turned out to be one of the key targets of Barcelona's inspection. But at that time, Barcelona's plan was to bring him to the Camp Nou in the summer of 2026.

Sesco, 21, has shown great potential in the club and national team, and has been highly praised by Barcelona's sports director Deco. In fact, Deco has long been looking at the future, especially given the end of the current center Lewandowski's career - the Polish scorer is currently playing for Barcelona in his fourth season, and all signs indicate that he will leave the team at the age of 37 in 2026.

Barcelona has long known that Cesco is unlikely to stay in Red Bull Leipzig for too long. But due to the financial situation, they cannot spend huge amounts of money to sign players in advance and wait for two years. In fact, Barcelona has pushed their budget to the limit this season, including completing the "succession" layout of the goalkeeper position ahead of schedule - seizing the opportunity to sign Spanish young goalkeeper Joan Garcia in preparation for the possibility of Ter Stegen's future departure.

Financial pressure and the choice of signings? For Barcelona, Cesco is indeed his favorite choice, but the reality is that they neither have the ability to spend high transfer fees this year nor can they "buy and leave" the players until Lewandowski leaves. Barcelona, which is in the reconstruction stage, can only turn their attention to more cost-effective alternatives. Deco has repeatedly emphasized that he prefers to sign all-rounders who can compete in multiple positions rather than "functional" players in a single position. This means that after Lewandowski leaves, Barcelona may not directly introduce a pure "Nine" center, but may choose a forward player who can perform multiple offensive roles, so that he can take over the heavy responsibility of the center in the process of gradually adapting.