FC Barcelona Envisions Joaquín Panichelli as the Ideal Replacement for Lewandowski

Joaquin Panichelli is making waves in Ligue 1, becoming a standout player in just a short time. Just two months ago, hardly anyone in France recognized his name, and he was little known in Argentina as well. His initial audience was limited to a few scouts and dedicated fans. However, after ten rounds of the league, he has emerged as the top scorer with nine goals, including a double against PSG.

His skills were further showcased with an acrobatic goal in the Europa League against Jagiellonia Bialystok. “He’s a top-notch player; we’ve worked hard during pre-season to improve his positioning,” said coach Liam Rosenior after Strasbourg’s victory over Auxerre, where the 23-year-old scored again. “He has channeled his game into a decisive role. I’m thrilled to have him on my team.”

Barcelona is Interested

Rosenior is aware that Panichelli’s reputation is soaring, with several European clubs showing interest, realizing they might be witnessing the rise of a star. Strasbourg secured him for €16 million this summer from Alavés, which had just loaned him to Mirandés in Spain’s second division. His impressive season there, scoring 21 goals in 44 matches, boosted his value significantly.

In Italy, AC Milan is closely monitoring Panichelli, with Chelsea also expressing interest, given that both clubs share the same ownership group. Furthermore, according to Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona has taken notice as well. They will need a forward in the coming months to replace Lewandowski, whose contract is ending. While Julian Alvarez is a preferred option, he is currently out of reach financially. Thus, Panichelli is viewed as a more affordable alternative.