Manchester United are reportedly set to demand Polish striker Robert Lewandowski from Bayern Munich in a sensational swap deal for Anthony Martial.
Manchester United are lining up a shock move for Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski, who also happens to be a top transfer target for fellow Premier League rivals Chelsea, as per reports from The Sun.
It is believed that United are set to demand the Polish centre-forward as part of any deal that would see Anthony Martial move the other way, who has been a long-time target for Bayern. The German champions have been monitoring the Frenchman for some time now and are keen on landing him this summer, as a direct replacement for the ageing Franck Ribery.
Martial too is understood to be open to an exit from the Old Trafford this summer, following the drastic reduction in his game time in the Jose Mourinho regime. The 22-year old started just 18 Premier League games last season under the Portuguese. He finished the 2017-18 season with 11 goals and 9 assists from 45 appearances across all competitions.
Post the end of the season, Martial’s agent dropped a strong hint that the player is considering a summer exit. And the recent fallout between the Frenchman and Jose has added more fuel to the fire. The Manchester United manager was critical of the player for not joining up with the rest of the team, after having left the US pre-season tour midway due to the birth of his second child.
Bayern are hoping to capitalize on the situation and make a move for the former AS Monaco man. However, they are not wiling to spend money in excess of £50 million, whereas United believe that their star is worth at least £70 million, given the current state of the market. But, the Red Devils would relax on their stance, should the Germans include Lewandowski in the deal.
Mourinho is a long-time admirer of the Poland international, who has established himself as one of the most lethal marksmen across Europe.
A source close to the club has hinted that a swap deal could be a possibility, saying,“Bayern are still keen and United have been after Lewandowski for a long time and want him. His agent is close to Jose and United and he is keeping them both in the loop along with Real Madrid. Bayern want Martial to take over from Ribery but don’t want to pay the excessive fee being asked for.”
Lewandowski is understood to be looking for a new challenge this summer and has been linked with a move to Real Madrid in the past. United’s Premier League rivals Chelsea too have entered the race to sign the 29-year old who plundered 41 goals in the last season, after having failed with an attempt to land Gonzalo Higuain this summer.
Interestingly, the Blues have also been linked with a move Martial this summer, with new manager Maurizio Sarri looking to bolster his attacking department, amidst the uncertainties surrounding the future of Eden Hazard and Alvaro Morata.
Mourinho is understood to be keen on offloading the 22-year old but the club hierarchy remain reluctant to do so, given the immense potential the Frenchman possesses. And with Bayern Munich manager Niko Kovac also hinting recently that Lewandowski will not be sold this summer, a swap deal certainly seems an unlikely prospect at the moment.
