Bayern won’t completely rule out Lewandowski exit
BAYERN Munich were set to celebrate a 10th Bundesliga title in a row with their fans from the town hall balcony later on Sunday as the club appeared to soften its stance on a summer exit of of their star striker Robert Lewandowski.
Bayern and their top scorer confirmed around Saturday’s season finale that Lewandowski will not renew his contract beyond 2023 and club officials have insisted he must fulfil his deal.
Club president Herbert Hainer reiterated this stance Sunday in a programme of broadcasters Sport1 but would now not completely rule out transfer this summer if “both sides give their consent” to such a move.
“It could be that both sides agree on it,” Hainer said.
Hainer added that Bayern’s future plans are an important aspect in the case because the club would need a successor on short notice should Lewandowski depart.
“There is no replacement for a world class player like Robert Lewandowski,” Hainer said.
Lewandowski said on Saturday that a summer transfer should be considered in the case of an offer, with Spanish top side Barcelona reportedly interested.
Fellow forward Thomas M ller said he hopes that the 33-year-old will stay another year but has no illusions.
“Let’s see what happens. He has a contract until 2023. That means that Bayern have the saying. Of course we would want him to stay. But of course we all know the business...,” M ller told Sky TV.
He added that Lewandowski would continue to deliver even if he had to stay another season.
“Lewy is top professional. When you are on the pitch as a player, and especially as a striker, you want to perform,” M ller said.
Lewandowski has been in Munich since 2014 after four campaigns at German rivals Borussia Dortmund.
In those years he has won every club title on offer including the 2020 treble with Bayern, and 10 Bundesliga titles in all with the two clubs.
He bettered Gerd M ller’s Bundesliga season scoring record to 41 goals a year ago and was season top scorer seven times, including the last five years. He is the second best scorer in league history with 312 goals, with only M ller ahead with 375.
M ller had recently extended his contract until 2023 by another year and Hainer said he hoped the same would apply for captain and goalkeeper Manuel Neuer as well as winger Serge Gnabry.
Hainer admitted to “a few disagreements” in the talks with Gnabry but added that “we can hopefully soon overcome those.”
Muller hopes Lewandowski stays
Bayern Munich were set to celebrate a 10th Bundesliga title in a row with their fans from the town hall balcony later on Sunday amid big uncertainty around the immediate future of Robert Lewandowski.
Fellow forward Thomas M ller said he hopes that the 33-year-old Lewandowski will stay another year but also has no illusions.
“Let’s see what happens. He has a contract until 2023. That means that Bayern have the saying. Of course we would want him to stay. But of course we all know the business...,” M ller told Sky TV.
He added that Lewandowski would continue to deliver even if he had to stay another season.
“Lewy is top professional. When you are on the pitch as a player, and especially as a striker, you want to perform,” M ller said.
Lewandowski has been in Munich since 2014 after four campaigns at German rivals Borussia Dortmund. In those years he has won every club title on offer including the 2020 treble with Bayern, and 10 Bundesliga titles in all with the two clubs.
He bettered Gerd M ller’s Bundesliga season scoring record to 41 goals a year ago and was season top scorer seven times, including the last five years. He is the second best scorer in league history with 312 goals, with only M ller ahead with 375.