- Lewandowski reported to have verbally agreed a three-year deal with Barcelona
- The striker is trying to engineer a move through the press, enraging Bayern officials in the process
- With Barcelona in financial dire straits the club are unlikely to commit a sizable transfer fee towards the 33-year-old attacker
Polish striker Robert Lewandowski is pushing to leave German champions Bayern Munich, with his public statements harming relations at the Allianz Arena.
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The striker is understood to have reached a verbal agreement on a three-year contract with Barcelona, but Bayern are digging their heels in, and pointing to the final season remaining on his current deal. Lewandowski’s public statements appear to be hardening Bayern’s stance on the matter.
Lewandowski, speaking before Poland’s Nations League game against Wales on Wednesday, said:
“My era at Bayern is over. I don’t see any possibility to continue playing for this club.“
The 33-year-old is hoping for some flexibility from the side he has represented for 8 years. He added:
“Bayern’s a serious club and I believe they won’t keep me – I don’t want to play there anymore,” he said. “A transfer is the best solution. I hope they don’t stop me.”
The club legend is certainly tarnishing his reputation with the Bayern fans and club hierarchy, with Bayern chief executive Oliver Kahn responding on German TV channel Sport1:
“I can’t tell you why Robert chose this path. Public statements like that don’t get you anywhere … I think he should know what he has at Bayern.” The former goalkeeper went on to add: “Appreciation is not a one-way street.“
Lewandowski has scored an impressive 238 goals in 253 appearances for the German giants and is recognised as one Europe’s finest strikers. Such quality is a rare commodity and impossible to replace. Views echoed by Bayern president, Herbert Hainer:
“There is no substitute for such a world-class player,” Hainer said. “He has a contract, so I assume he fulfils it. It is his right not to extend his contract.“
With Barcelona operating a stringent budget following the lavish spending of former President Josep Bartomeu, do not expect a quick end to the Lewandowski links. The move has the potential drag on through the summer months.
