Abramovich key to RM424m transfer for Lewa

CHELSEA are ready to enter into the £80 million (RM424m) chase for Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski. The Poland World Cup striker wants to leave Bayern after four years at the Bundesliga giants, following a fallout with coach Jupp Heynckes. The 29-year-old is also being chased by Manchester United and Paris St Germain, as a Europe-wide chase for his signature opened up yesterday on his announcement that his time at Bayern could now be up having won the title four years in succession. Lewandowski’s agent Pini Zahavi said: “Robert feels he needs a change and a new challenge in his career. The managers of Bayern know about it. “His reasons are not money or a specific club, as nearly all top clubs would like to have the world’s best striker in their ranks.”

“Every one of the Bayern leadership had great careers themselves. They should understand his situation.”

Zahavi has had firm links with Chelsea for many years and is a close associate of Stamford Bridge owner Roman Abramovich, which should give the FA Cup holders a major advantage in the race for the Polish star – though the £80 million price tag could prove a major snag.

Sources close to Lewandowski, who has three years left on his contract, have confirmed to Express Sport that Chelsea are one of the clubs who have registered interest in the striker.

The 29-year-old, who is currently preparing for the World Cup, has scored more than 40 goals in all competitions in each of the last three seasons. He was the top scorer in the Bundesliga last term with 29 goals in 30 games and will not be short of suitors.

Chelsea are pushing ahead with their transfer business even though they are still in the middle of a process of moving on one manager in Antonio Conte, and bringing in another in the shape of Napoli boss Maurizio Sarri.

Transfer targets for this summer have already been identified, Lewandowski among them, alongside Anthony Martial and Jean Michel Serri, and representatives of the players have been told that a decision will have been made by the beginning of June.

Sarri’s deal with Napoli still has two years to run and has not been terminated despite the appointment of former Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti as his replacement.

Chelsea are still in talks with Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis, who is insisting they pay the £7 million (RM37m) required to free Sarri under the terms of his breakout clause. But that clause ran out yesterday, and Sarri can now resign, but Chelsea would still have to pay compensation of around £3.5 million (RM18.5m).

It is believed Sarri has targets of his own he wants to bring in if his appointment is eventually confirmed, among them Juventus striker Gonzalo Higuain and Napoli centreback Kalidou Koulibaly.

Chelsea, who have also spoken to former PSG coach Laurent Blanc, are also in talks with Conte’s representatives over the £9 million (RM48m) they will owe him if he is dismissed this summer, with a year still left of his contract. – Express Newspapers