Lewandowski: Could Bayern Munich star be on the move?

David Lynch

• Updated: 19 May 2021 15:43 BST
• 4 min read

Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski is attracting interest from top clubs across Europe ahead of the summer transfer window.

That is according to reports from Germany, which suggest that the German champions are braced for offers when the season comes to a close.

So, could it be that Bayern want to sell their legendary No.9? And would the player really wish to depart Munich?

We’ve taken a look at the possible reasons for this story emerging – read on to learn more.

1) Bayern are signing Haaland

You would expect Bayern to be in the running whenever one of the most promising players in the world comes onto the market – particularly if they play their football in the Bundesliga.

And that looks to be the case for the prolific Erling Haaland, who Borussia Dortmund could look to cash in on should a sizeable offer be forthcoming.

However, Bayern may prefer to bide their time and hope the Norwegian stays put until a release clause between €75 million and €100m activates next summer.

At that point, Lewandowski would also be a year closer to the expiry of his contract in 2023, which would set up a succession plan quite nicely.

A move any earlier than that would make little sense, as the club’s CEO, Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, recently explained: “I don’t know where the rumours have come from.

“I can only say one thing: we have the world’s best footballer in this position. Robert Lewandowski has a contract until 2023.”

2) Lewandowski wants to leave

Of course, it could be that the player himself is driving stories of interest in order to help secure a move away from Bayern.

Lewandowski has won every trophy available to him in Germany across spells in Munich and Dortmund and added the Champions League to his collection last season.

So, could it be that a new challenge in another top league European league appeals?

Manchester United and Chelsea are just two of the sides who have been linked with the prolific Pole, though the size of the potential transfer fee could prove prohibitive.

The 32-year-old is also 94 goals short of Gerd Muller’s all-time Bundesliga record and might fancy his chances of bridging that gap across three or four more seasons in Germany.

3) A new contract

And now onto the most likely of all scenarios: Lewandowski would simply like to extend his stay in Munich.

It is customary for clubs to have opened contract talks by the time their players get within two years of their current deal expiring.

For Lewandowski, that time is now, though Bayern would argue that it is unwise to hand out fresh terms to a 32-year-old already earning big money.

Still, with 43 goals from his 37 appearances this season, the Poland international is showing no signs of slowing down just yet, neither is he picking up injuries with increased regularity.

A one-year extension that gives him the chance to break Muller’s goals record and guarantees him a part in an exciting future under Julian Nagelsmann could leave all parties happy.