Bayern Munich rejecting Barcelona offers for Lewandowski due to financial concerns

Robert Lewandowski has been linked with a move to Barcelona ever since his intention to leave Bayern Munich was known – but the Spanish giants face an uphill battle to secure his signing.

Earlier this summer, Lewandowski’s agent, Pini Zahavi, confirmed his client’s intention to move on from Bayern. He said to BILD: “FC Bayern is history for Robert Lewandowski.”

The Polish international has publicly stated that he has no desire to remain at Bayern beyond this summer.

In May, football journalist Fabrizio Romano reported Lewandowski’s message from a press conference.

Lewandowski said:  “My era at Bayern is over. I don’t see any possibility to continue playing for this club anymore.

“Bayern’s a serious club and I believe they won’t keep me, I don’t want to play there anymore. A transfer is the best solution. I hope they don’t stop me.”

Barcelona pursue Lewandowski

Barcelona have made no secret of their desire to capture the signature of the striker.

However, the club’s sticky financial situation makes a move for the 2021/22 Bundesliga top scorer difficult.

It appears as though the Spanish side want to pay Bayern the fee for Lewandowski in instalments. However, the German club are not receptive to such an arrangement. They want the money upfront.

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Why do Bayern want the entire fee upfront?

Speaking on the Totally Football Show podcast, German football journalist Raphael Honigstein explained why Bayern continue to reject Barcelona’s offers.

He said: “Bayern have apparently told Barcelona, ‘We don’t want any instalments, because we’re not sure you’re going to be around in one or two years’ time. We want all the money upfront. In cash.’ And that is one of the sticking points.

“I think that despite some of the protestations, and you might have heard what Uli Hoeness, the Honorary President [of Bayern], has said about Bayern not giving in. There has actually been a tacet acknowledgement within the team that the best thing for all parties is for Lewandowski to go, because you don’t want a disgruntled Lewandowski playing one more year.”

Honigstein later clarified that his comments over Barcelona’s existence were meant as a joke – although reiterated his previous report that Bayern do want a fee for Lewandowski paid upfront.

What does this mean for Lewandowski’s Barcelona move?

Bayern Munich are wary of Barcelona’s financial struggles. They desire the fee upfront due to worries over the club’s financial situation.

However, despite Bayern’s strong stance, Honigstein’s words reveal that there are those within the club who are pushing to get Lewandowski out of the door.

Barcelona, therefore, need to move players on to afford the Polish striker. The likes of Frenkie de Jong and Memphis Depay are seemingly heading for the Camp Nou exit door, so this move could still happen before the summer is out.

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