Bayern coach Nagelsmann takes shot at Barcelona as Lewandowski seals transfer
Stuart Telford
- Updated: 20 Jul 2022 09:37 BST
- 3 min read
Robert Lewandowski has finally sealed his long-awaited transfer to Barcelona from Bayern Munich, but not without a parting shot from former coach Julian Nagelsmann.
Lewandowski was a one-man goalscoring institution at Bayern, plundering 50 in just 46 games in all competitions last season.
Overlooked for the Ballon d'Or in 2020 after winning six titles with the German champions and being the top scorer in every competition, the Pole began to undo his legacy off the field earlier this year when he went public with his desire to leave.
Barcelona were his intended destination, but their much-publicised financial woes - which at one point saw the club more than €1 billion in debt - allied to Bayern's reluctance to sell meant that Lewandowski's move, first talked about in April, was only completed in August.
“Barcelona’s Robert Lewandowski” pic.twitter.com/KxBf6XFZov
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Nagelsmann - who's Bayern have now spent nearly €120 million this summer on the likes of Matthijs de Ligt, Sadio Mane and Ryan Gravenberch - took aim at Barcelona ahead of Bayern's pre-season friendly against Wayne Rooney's D.C. United.
Nagelsmann: 'a bit crazy'
"It is the only club in the world that have no money, but then buy all the players they want," he said at the pre-match press conference. "I don't know how they do it. It's a bit strange, a bit crazy."
As well as Lewandowski's €50m transfer, Barcelona have also spent €65m on Raphinha from Leeds, whilst also acquiring the services of Franck Kessie and Andreas Christensen on free transfers from AC Milan and Chelsea respectively.
The apparently plan to continue spending, too, with Sevilla's France defender Jules Kounde heavily linked with a move to Camp Nou in recent weeks.
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While Nagelsmann expressed surprise at Barcelona's recent transfer dealings, he has been less critical of Lewandowski himself - a player who scored 344 goals in 375 games in all competitions in his time at the Allianz Arena.
"Robert Lewandowski had an outstanding eight years at Bayern." He said. "It's a big challenge to replace him, but I'm not worried right now. We are very well equipped offensively and I'm still spoiled for choice."
As well as acquiring attacker Mane from Liverpool, Bayern recently extended the contract of Germany forward Serge Gnabry until 2027. Those two plus Thomas Müller are likely to make up Bayern's front three this season.
