Barcelona could release Robert Lewandowski on FREE TRANSFER as bizarre contract clause is revealed

BARCELONA could reportedly release Robert Lewandowski as a free agent thanks to a bizarre clause in his contract.

The Polish striker, 35, controversially joined the LaLiga giants from Bayern Munich for £42.5million in 2022, signing a four-year deal.

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And he continued his remarkable goalscoring with 33 goals in 46 games in his debut season at the Nou Camp - plus a further eight in 16 so far this term.

However, claim Barca may have the option to terminate Lewandowski's contract a year early at the end of the 2024-25 campaign.

That would be dependent on how the former Bayern man gets on in his third season with Barcelona.

It is said the club will be allowed to trigger the unusual clause if Lewandowski does not play in at least 55 per cent of Barcelona's matches in 2024-25 - either starting or playing at least 45 minutes.

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Lewandowski's multi-million-pound wages change in each of the four years of his initial contract.

But letting him leave for free in the summer of 2025 - when the striker turns 37 - would save the club around £22.3m in wages.

Barca continue to struggle with massive debts and are constantly looking for ways to reduce costs.

So the option to take an ageing Lewandowski off the payroll early if he is not a regular on the pitch could be appealing.

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Despite their financial woes, Xavi led the Blaugrana to the LaLiga title last season.

But they were reliant on cheap deals in the transfer market as Joao Felix and Joao Cancelo arrived on loan while Ilkay Gundogan and Inigo Martinez were free agents.

Oriol Romeu cost just £3m from Girona as the club brought in cash for Nico Gonzalez, Franck Kessie, Abde Ezzalzouli and Ousmane Dembele, the latter joining PSG for £43m.

They sit fourth in the table - losing just once in 14 matches - seven points off Real Madrid and Girona, with a game in hand.

Barca have also booked their place in the knockout stages of the Champions League with a match to spare.