Barcelona 'line up shock summer swoop for Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez'

Barcelona have reportedly earmarked Liverpool's Darwin Nunez as a potential successor to Robert Lewandowski.

The legendary Polish striker netted a first-half penalty on Saturday as Xavi's side suffered a 4-2 defeat against Girona at the Estadi Montilivi.

Failure to secure three points saw Real Madrid crowned champions of LaLiga for a record-extending 36th time and reports suggest Xavi is already planning for a summer rebuild after falling short in the title race.

Since arriving at the club in a £42.5m deal from Bayern Munich in 2022, Lewandowski has remained one of Barca's highest-earners amidst ongoing financial troubles.

The 35-year-old still has two years remaining on his current deal, but Barca look set to attempt to offload him in the summer to ensure they comply with a £175m salary cap imposed by LaLiga earlier this season.

Despite the club's faltering form this season, Lewandowski has remained consistent in front of goal, and any potential replacement would be required to pick up where he left off.

According to a report by The Sun, Barca feel like Nunez is capable of taking on the mantle and are prepared to meet Liverpool's asking price for the Uruguayan forward.

Nunez is one of the best-paid players at Anfield but his wages - reported to be around £140,000-a-week - would still be significantly lower than what Lewandowski is currently earning.

The report also claims the player has expressed an interest in one day wearing the iconic blue and red shirt, but that he is happy with his current situation on Merseyside.

Reports earlier this month suggested Liverpool's recruitment team were not keen on signing the former Benfica star and instead favoured a move for Christopher Nkunku, with Jurgen Klopp eventually convincing them to consent to a club-record £85m deal.

Nunez has scored 18 goals in all competitions in his second season at the club and has already bettered his Premier League tally from last season but has faced repeated criticisms for the inconsistency of his finishing.

After Klopp's hopes of securing Premier League glory to mark a fairytale ending to his time at Anfield went up in smoke in defeat to Everton last month Jamie Carragher questioned Nunez's suitability in a title-chasing side.

'I think I'm at the stage with Nunez now where I don't think there is a question to ask,' Carragher said.

'He gives it everything, he runs, he causes trouble, he gets the odd goal and assist, but after two years, with Liverpool this season going for the title and those big games, you need him to score at Old Trafford, Goodison, at Atalanta.

'This is not October or November, this is the business end of the title race.

‘We've all been in squads where first year we say he needs to get to speed, but you're looking at it now, I don't think there will be a massive improvement. I think after two years we've seen what he is, he can cause trouble and be erratic with his finishing

‘I don't think it's enough to win the biggest trophies, so I think there's a big decision to be made on him.’