Lewandowski slams Bayern’s spending policy

BERLIN: Top striker Robert Lewandowski has said Bayern Munich must spend more on star players or risk being left trailing their rivals.

“Bayern have to think something up and be more creative if the club wants to attract a worldclass player to Munich,” Lewandowski told magazine Der Spiegel in a critical interview. “If you want to play on the front foot, you need the quality players.”

Bayern set a new Bundesliga record in June by signing France midfielder Corentin Tolisso from Lyon for €41.5 million (RM210 million).

However, the figure was dwarfed by the €222 million Paris Saint-Germain, who Bayern face in their Champions League group, paid Barcelona for Neymar.

In July, Bayern president Uli Hoeness described the inflated fees as “madness. That’s something that we will refuse totally at Bayern.”

However, Lewandowski says they need to spend big if they are realistic about winning the Champions League for the first time since 2013.

Lewandowski added that European football’s governing body UEFA should investigate the huge transfers in a thinly-veiled attack on PSG.

“UEFA must look into the huge transfers this summer and work alongside FIFA to close any holes in the regulations,” added Lewandowski.

Meanwhile, head coach Carlo Ancelotti says rotation will sort out any issues in his star-studded squad as Bayern start a heavy fixture list.

The defending champions are at Hoffenheim on Saturday in the first of six matches this month.

Bayern host Anderlecht on Tuesday in their opening Champions League match, then Mainz, Schalke, Wolfsburg and travel to face PSG in rapid succession. AFP