Messi backs Barcelona transfer bid for Lewandowski

FT Desk

Updated: 17 Apr 2022 16:16 BST
3 min read

Robert Lewandowski has told Bayern Munich he wants to quit the club — © ProShots

Lionel Messi is backing Barcelona’s bid to sign Robert Lewandowski this summer, according to Sport.

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Messi left Barca last summer in a much-publicised Bosman Transfer to PSG but naturally, as the club’s greatest-ever player, still holds a great affection for the Blaugrana.

Sport reports that Messi has given Barcelona his vote of approval to sign Lewandowski in the summer from Bayern Munich.

The newspaper adds that Barca are happy to meet the contractual demands of Lewandowski.

The 33-year-old has requested a three-year contract, something that Bayern have been hesitant to offer given the fact that he will be almost 37 by the time that deal ends.

Barca have no such problem with this and would even, according to Sky Germany, offer a salary worth a staggering €35-40 million a year.

This salary will make Lewandowski the highest paid player at Barcelona and one of the best earners in European football.

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It remains to be seen just how Barcelona will be able to afford such a big salary given they are estimated to be €1.3 billion in debt and they need to cut their costs, while also being wary of FFP.

However, Sky also report that Barcelona believe that signing Lewandowski will boost their sponsorship contracts which will help repay these costs.

FootballTransfers first reported last month that Barcelona had made Lewandowski their top summer striker target after cooling their interest in Erling Haaland.

Earlier on Sunday, Bayern CEO Oliver Kahn pleaded with Lewandowski to reject Barcelona and stay with Bayern.

“Robert has a contract with us for next season and we are in contact with Robert and want him to stay at Bayern for as long as possible,” Kahn told Sport 1.

“But, some seem to think it’s like Football Manager, where you just click a button and the contract gets extended. At some point, players this get the idea ‘I've achieved everything here and won everything’.

“Then it takes time to convince him to stay. But, look at the examples of players who changed clubs. What do we identify Cristiano Ronaldo with? With his time at Real Madrid. What do we identify Lionel Messi with? With his time at Barcelona. It's the same with Robert.”