‘Barcelona can’t offer Lewandowski more than Bayern’, says Rummenigge
Former Bayern Munich chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has questioned Robert Lewandowski’s plan to move to Barcelona, pointing out that the reigning Bundesliga champions can currently offer more than the Catalan club.
The Polish striker has been at Bayern Munich since 2014, but is believed to want a new challenge. However, he has a contract in Bavaria until 2023 and Bayern Munich have insisted that they won’t sell.
Discussing the reported conflict between the player and the club in an interview with Bild, Rummenigge said: “I think the situation is much more relaxed than has been said. There is one decisive factor: Robert Lewandowski has a contract that expires next year. That means the club can do whatever they decide they want to do. I think Oliver Kahn said the door was closed, so I can't imagine that Bayern Munich will now let him go after such statements. He is irreplaceable for Bayern as he scores between 40 and 50 goals every year and you need a player like that, even if he's about to turn 34. That's a guarantee that doesn't exist anywhere in Europe. He is world-class.”
The former club chairman went on to question why Lewandowski would even want to leave. He added: “He is a goal machine and I wouldn't give up a player like that voluntarily. You have to fight for him, have the right conversations and cosy up to his agents. He is a very intelligent person and he’s someone who wants to win, but I don't think you can currently win more at Barcelona than at Bayern. I have to say it openly and honestly. What more can Barcelona offer right now than Bayern Munich? I can't think of anything.”
Robert Lewandowski has not changed his mind, as of today. He wants Barcelona and he's not even in talks with any other club - just waiting for Bayern to make final decision and find potential replacement. 🇵🇱 #FCB
Barça are always in direct contact with his agent Pini Zahavi. pic.twitter.com/25Uuw1BlSV— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) May 21, 2022
Rummenigge discusses Lewandowski’s agent
Lewandowski’s agent, Pini Zahavi, will be important in any negotiations over the striker’s future. On his relationship with Zahavi, Rummenigge said: “He is a good player agent, but you always have to keep in mind that his task is getting as much as he can for his client. He has done that brilliantly in the past.”