Robert Lewandowski’s agent has claimed that he turned down the chance to earn world record wages in China
Robert Lewandowski’s agent has sensationally claimed that the Bayern Munich star was the subject of interest from China recently, with world record transfer fee and salary on offer, which would have made the Poland international the highest paid player in world football.
Lewandowski’s agent Cezary Kucharski was speaking in an interview with SportoweFakty, and he added that they never considered the offer on the table. He said: “I was contacted by an agent who brings stars to China. The club name wasn’t mentioned.”
“If Lewy had decided to move to China, his salary would have been significantly higher than €40m which means more than Carlos Tevez earns.” SportoweFakty also mentioned that the transfer fee on offer was a staggering €200 million.
A Goalscoring Powerhouse
Lewandowski has been an absolute superstar in German football, first setting the stage on fire in four successful years with Borussia Dortmund, scoring 74 goals in 131 appearances in a prolific spell with Die Schwarzgelben.
He then moved to Bayern Munich where he has gone from strength to strength to now be regarded as one of the best strikers in the world. So far, he has scored 59 goals in 79 outings for the Bundesliga champions, and has enjoyed many moments to savour with the club.
This season, he has been imperious for the Bavarians, scoring 20 goals in 24 appearances at a remarkable rate of 104.2 minutes per goal.
And, it is what Kucharski said towards the end of the interview that is sure to send shockwaves around the world, and put clubs on alert. He admitted: “Robert is not for sale right now. But I never say never. Life offers several solutions.”
So while Lewandowski did sign a new contract with Bayern Munich through to 2021 in late December, a move away from the club sometime in the future, might just be on the cards. The Hard Tackle takes a look at four potential destinations where Lewandowski could be headed in the future:
Manchester United
Signing Zlatan Ibrahimovic on a free transfer in the summer is proving to be a masterstroke by Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho. The Swedish superstar has adapted to life in English football with ease, and has been in great goal-scoring form for the Red Devils this season.
Ibrahimovic has scored 18 goals in all competitions to be United’s undisputed top goalscorer, and has already surpassed Anthony Martial’s tally of 17 from last season as he looks ready to add more goals to that count.
However, Ibrahimovic isn’t expected to stay at Old Trafford beyond the 2017/18 season, when they will be left with Marcus Rashford as the only first team option. And while Rashford has made waves and captured the imagination in his first year with the senior team, he is still only 19 and developing.
The potential acquisition of Lewandowski post the departure of Ibrahimovic, therefore, represents one of the best short to mid-term signing for Manchester United, who will look for a proven goalscorer as they continue to groom Rashford into a world-class striker fit to lead the line for several years.
Manchester United are known to be long time admirers of Lewandowski’s talents and the striker can add definite qualities to the lineup at Old Trafford, and with money being no problem for the club hierarchy, they will be willing to pay Bayern Munich’s asking price as well.
Real Madrid
Like with Manchester United, Lewandoski has been a target for Real Madrid as well for quite some time. And while Karim Benzema has been an influential member of the squad for many years now, his impact and powers are certainly on the wane.
This season, he has managed to start just eight games in La Liga so far, and has scored just 10 goals in 20 appearances in all competitions, which might be an indication that he might not be as deadly as he once was.
Alvaro Morata has been provided with several opportunities by Zinedine Zidane this season, and has done well in most of his chances. The Spain international has been earmarked as one for the future and has been touted to achieve great things at the Santiago Bernabeu.
However, Lewandowski brings proven quality and the propensity to score goals by the truckload, and Real Madrid like United have the financial clout to pay Bayern Munich and Lewankdowski the money they demand. This, on paper, is a marriage made in heaven.
Manchester City
Sergio Aguero has been a goalscorer unlike any other in the Premier League, and at 0.69 goals per match, the Argentina international has scored a goal faster than any other in the top flight of English football.
He has been at the centre of Manchester City’s rise in English football, scoring 113 goals in 164 appearances for the Citizens, the most famous of which is that goal in the dying stages of the match to wrap up the club’s first ever Premier League title triumph.
However, this season has shown that his goalscoring prowess has deteriorated slightly, but more worryingly his temperament hasn’t exactly been the best. He has reportedly had a few run-ins with manager Pep Guardiola, and has missed seven games as a result of suspension so far this term.
Should Aguero be deemed as surplus to requirements by Guardiola anytime in the future, 20-year-old Kelechi Iheanacho is the only option available to the Manchester City boss. And like Rashford, the Nigerian still has a long way to go before he develops into City’s vision of a world beating striker.
Thus, Lewandowski will offer City with similar benefits to the ones he will to Manchester United, as the perfect mentor to help Iheanacho with his development.
Chinese Super League
Lewandowski is currently in the prime of his career, a key figure for Bayern Munich and at the spearhead of their formidable attack. The club management is seemingly very happy with his services, and so is he as he continues to be ably supported by the likes of Thomas Muller, Douglas Costa, Frank Ribery and Arjen Robben.
So, while he has no reason to move to China right now, as he starts slowing down and Bayern look to move to younger, quicker targets, China will provide Lewandowski an opportunity to earn big bucks and prolong his career for a few more years.
For now though, Lewandowski is going strong for Bayern Munich and scoring goals for fun. And for the time being, he doesn’t look like moving anywhere.
