Rumors around Harry Kane and Barcelona have been drifting through the season, but they picked up real momentum once reports in England suggested the Bayern Munich striker might fit into Barça’s long-term
plans. Conversations about a possible move gained even more traction because the profile feels familiar. Barcelona once brought in Robert Lewandowski from the same club at an age that many considered past the typical peak for a new number nine. He was 33 then, and he has since delivered a scoring record that reshaped expectations.
This time, the comparison is inverted. Kane, 32, is already well past one hundred goals with Bayern and has started the current campaign producing at a blistering pace. The idea of signing him for the summer of 2026 would normally be seen as risky, but Lewandowski’s consistency since arriving in 2022 has altered the way many evaluate veteran strikers. The Pole has registered 108 goals in his three-plus seasons and just reminded everyone of his sharpness with a hat trick against Celta in Balaídos.
What complicates matters for Barcelona is that Lewandowski’s contract runs only until June 2026, and he recently hinted during international duty that he expects to clarify his future soon. English outlets have claimed that Barça would be willing to consider activating the 65 million euro release clause in Kane’s contract if the club’s financial outlook improves. Reports in Spain, meanwhile, continue to highlight that Julián Álvarez is the preferred target, though that does not prevent the board from studying other options.
The idea of replacing one legend with another becomes easier to digest because Barcelona’s roster has a recent history of squeezing real value from older forwards. During the pandemic-era reset, the club had little choice but to pursue players who were available at low cost or short-term deals. In that period, experience paid off more often than not.
Luuk de Jong arrived on loan from Sevilla at 31 and spent the 2021–22 season stepping into games when everything else stalled. His minutes were limited, but he chipped in crucial goals, including match winners and late equalizers that rescued points. After returning to PSV, he continued scoring regularly.
The most dramatic example was Pierre Emerick Aubameyang, who landed in Barcelona in early 2022 without a transfer fee and immediately became the team’s most reliable finisher. In just half a season, and at age 33, he struck 13 times in 24 appearances, delivering standout moments such as his double at the Bernabéu in the famous 4–0 win and a hat trick away to Valencia. Barcelona later sold him for a profit, turning his brief stay into both sporting value and financial gain.
All of these memories help shape current perceptions. Kane’s production in Munich and his age profile line up neatly with those past success stories. Even those who doubt that Bayern would easily part with him acknowledge that the idea makes sporting sense.
One former England international, Chris Waddle, recently said he understood the appeal of Kane returning to the Premier League, but added, “I’m not sure Tottenham will want him at the price and his age. Even if there was another team who wanted him, I’m not sure Bayern Munich will want to sell him. They let Robert Lewandowski go to Barcelona at about the same age, and he hasn’t stopped scoring since he left.”
There have been suggestions that Kane has no plans of leaving Bayern, and Barcelona still has to look at their options and use their budget wisely. But as it stands, the Kane-to-Barcelona rumor remains a hot topic.
