Barcelona chief Deco thinks Erling Haaland would be a fitting replacement for Robert Lewandowski

Barcelona chief Deco thinks Erling Haaland would be a fitting replacement for Robert Lewandowski.

The Spanish giant's director has weighed in on the Manchester City ace - who has 105 goals in 114 appearances across all competitions - and insisted while Barca's 36-year-old striker isn't expected to leave imminently, Haaland, 24, could be someone with the ability to fill the gap in the future.

He told Mundo Deportivo: "I think it’s very difficult to find a striker like Robert today.

"There are one or two of this level. Maybe Haaland or someone else. There are not so many of this level available.

“But we’re not going to be obsessed with looking for any strikers now because we’re going to focus first on what Robert can do.

"I surely think he’s happy to be here. He’s a winner and if we have an important season I think he’ll want to continue.”

Since joining Barca on a free transfer after leaving Bayern Munich in 2022, he has bagged 76 goals in 110 matches in all competitions.

His contract is due to expire at the end of the season, but the former Borussia Dortmund man is expected to pen an extension.

And Deco added: "It’s not a priority because we have to focus on this season. Of course we have to do the work of the future, but if we are working more on the future, we forget about the present.

"We have to think about what we have to do now and not what we have to do in the future because what happens this season can condition the future.

"It is not enough for us to be alone thinking about the future. The work of the future is being done, it is being fulfilled. What I hope is that Lewandowski continues at the same level that he is showing."