Lewandowski's exit strategy and Bayern have to plan life without the striker

 

Robert Lewandowski couldn’t have made it more crystal clear that he does not want to play for the Bavarian giants again and wants to move to the Camp Nou to join FC Barcelona this summer. As per Fernando Polo, writing in Mundo Deportivo, ‘Barça are amazed at the forcefulness with which Lewandowski has decided to accelerate his departure from Bayern. They expected him to push a little, knowing that his club would be reluctant to sell him, but he has gone out, all guns blazing, in the first round of the fight.’ 

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Robert Lewandowski is giving interviews almost as regularly as he scores goals, as he tries to engineer his exit. He has lately toned things down a bit in his latest interview with BILD where he has made his affection for his former club clear while still insisting he wants out.

"I think it is better for Bayern to invest the money they can get for me than to keep me until the end of my contract," he said.

“I don’t want to force anything. I want to find the best solution for both sides. Bayern are one of the biggest clubs in the world, a dream club for many players.

“I want this to end, we are not enemies. I am sure we will find an agreement together.”

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The striker has also made it clear that he has given his all for Bayern over the last eight years. He doesn't think he's being ungrateful or selfish and he wants the fans to understand his decision.

"I know what I had at Bayern and I appreciate it very much. I also know that I have been doing my best not to disappoint the club and the fans for the last eight years,” said the Polish striker.

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Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez wants a world-class striker for his project and believes Lewandowski would be the ideal fit. The feeling appears mutual as Lewandowski is not considering any offers from other clubs.

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The problem for Lewandowski and Barcelona is Bayern Munich are not too keen on letting him leave before they find an adequate replacement. Liverpool’s Sadio Mane has been linked with a move to Bayern. However, Liverpool have proven to be masters at extracting every possible drop of value from the transfer market over recent years. For the Reds’, it’s not only about making new purchases at a bargain, but also about selling players for a maximum amount possible. Bayern have reportedly made an offer of £25 million (21 million plus add-ons), for the Senagelese international, but Liverpool have rejected the offer.

 

The German champions won’t have expected their opening gambit to have worked. They are now preparing a second £30m bid with the Reds holding out for over £40m, according to reports. The Bundesliga champions are not giving up without a fight. Bayern sold Thiago Alcantara to Liverpool for £25 million when he was of a similar age and entering the final year of his contract as Mane is. It’s easy to see why they set their opening bid at the same mark.

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However, Liverpool believe there is a difference in the valuations between both players. Despite all Thiago’s spectacular abilities, he has had trouble with injuries over the years, and the most minutes he accumulated for Bayern in his seven seasons there was 3,524. Mane has surpassed that figure in each of his last four campaigns. It’s not only that, goal scoring ability counts as well when it comes to evaluating a fair price, and though Sadio may not have been the Reds’ top scorer in any season, his consistency is largely unrivalled. The explosive left winger has scored 120 goals in 269 games for the Reds’ and has helped them reach three Champions League finals, winning one. The reliable level of goal return does carry a premium.

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The sooner Bayern get their deal for Sadio Mane sorted with Liverpool, the chances of Lewandowski’s move to Barcelona starts moving towards a reality. Even if Barcelona and Bayern were to start negotiations, there is also the matter of Barcelona’s lack of money and need to offload players in order to reduce the wage bill. The Blaugrana have become exacerbated by their refusal to sign the agreement with CVC. Despite their financial difficulties, they have made an opening offer of £27 million plus add-ons. Bayern have received their offer but have yet to provide a response.

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Lewandowski is certainly doing his part to join Barcelona and it’s only a matter of time before the two clubs sit down and work on a deal beneficial to all parties as it makes little sense to keep a player who no longer wants to be there.