Bundesliga

Barcelona apparently can’t pay Lewandowski

Published

2 weeks ago

May 13, 2022

Robert Lewandowski would like to leave Bayern Munich to join FC Barcelona. But from Spain it is now said that Barca cannot currently finance the Poles.

After Robert Lewandowski informed FC Bayern that he will not be renewing his contract, which expires in the summer of 2023, FC Barcelona has come into focus as Barca is the 33-year-old striker’s dream destination.

However, this project is not unproblematic: the well-informed Mundo Deportivo reports that FC Barcelona has no financial leeway to sign Lewandowski. Already this season, FC Barcelona had big problems getting the right to play for the newcomers in summer and winter, because the expenses are still very high.

In addition, there is the problem that some player contracts at FC Barcelona will become more expensive from July 1st. Salary increases were anchored in the contracts of newcomers such as Memphis Depay, Eric Garcia, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Ferran Torres. But that also applies to veterans like Sergio Busquets or Gerard Pique.

Robert Lewandowski: The total volume could be too big

So, Barca need to activate ‘economic levers’, as President Joan Laporta put it, in order to generate revenue that will allow the club to pay the salaries. For example, Barca are working on a new sleeve sponsor. Another obvious solution is to sell players like Philippe Coutinho was sold to Aston Villa. More could follow.

However, it is a race against time and so the Lewandowski case remains complicated. Even if the Pole were willing to lower his salary expectations to play for Barcelona, the total could be huge on a three-year deal that, according to table football is in the room, including a transfer fee of probably 40 million euros, where FC Bayern could become weak, be too big.

The vague situation at Barcelona could also pose problems for FC Bayern. Should Barcelona need a lot of time to create financial space for Lewandowski, the hands of the record champions would also be tied.

On the one hand the top striker who wants to leave and hopes that a solution will be found. On the other hand, the plan to have to replace him if it really happens. Because it is also clear that Bayern will not sign a successor for financial reasons alone until Lewandowski’s future has been clarified. A hot summer is imminent.

Lewy wants to go: These strikers could inherit him from Bayern

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Quarter-finals in the Champions League, not in the cup for a long time anyway – now Bayern only has the league left. But how long will Robert Lewandowski stay with them?

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There have been numerous rumors about the superstar recently, but his favorite target is said to be FC Barcelona. Lewandowski still has a year’s contract – but there would be no transfer fee in 2023 either. Do Bayern have to prepare for a departure?

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The club management around Oliver Kahn is in demand. As reported by Sport Bild, there should be a note with alternatives in the drawer of the squad planner. SPOX shows who could replace the 33-year-old.

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BENJAMIN SESKO: The 18-year-old is currently under contract with RB Salzburg and usually only makes short appearances there. He has a fine technique, a good degree and has good qualifications in athletics.

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The Slovenian is even a little reminiscent of Lewandowski because he actively participates in the game and has a good sense of space. Compared to the Pole, he is physically a bit smaller.

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But that was also Lewandowski when he switched to BVB. Exactly that is the sticking point: In Austria, Sesko is currently directly involved in a goal about every 100 minutes. But is he ready for the big step?

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SASA KALAJDZIC: Bayern hit 38 crosses against Villarreal. If that should be the concept for the future, Kalajdzic might even be the best choice. The 24-year-old is a headball monster, but not as strong on the ball as others.

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For VfB, however, he is a guarantee of survival with his goals. His contract expires in 2023 and kicker reported in March that negotiations had been suspended. Estimated cost: 20 million euros.

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Sport Bild even reports on talks between FC Bayern and the player’s management in January. But would it be the big solution that Munich would need if Lewandowski were to change?

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PATRIK SCHICK: Like Sesko and Kalajdzic, he is also on the supposed list of Lewandowski alternatives that Bayern are said to have made. The 26-year-old played an outstanding season for Leverkusen.

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In 26 competitive games, the Czech scored 20 times and prepared three more goals. Then he dropped out with a hamstring tear. Schick is quite a complete striker who likes to go deep. Ideal for Nagelsmann’s intended speed football?

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Leverkusen have already put a stop to a change, but should be weak with a transfer fee of 75 million euros. That could be too much for Bayern, who keep emphasizing their austerity course. But where do you prefer to save: money or goals?

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TIMO WERNER: The national striker has often been associated with Bayern in the past. Most recently that was before he finally decided to move to Chelsea.

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He’s fast, risk-taking and good at finding the right running paths. However, he is not the most dangerous with crosses – and his goal rate no longer speaks for him.

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Werner is now notorious as a chance death. However: The developments surrounding the Chelsea sale could still be exciting and the 26-year-old is said to have toyed with a change from time to time.

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CHRISTOPHER NKUNKU: At RB Leipzig, the people of Munich only made good use of it last summer. With Nkunku, the next up-and-coming top star is now drawing attention to itself. The 24-year-old scores as he pleases.

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He is currently directly involved in a goal about every 74 minutes. Speed, technique, physique, final strength and joy of combination – theoretically the Frenchman has everything. A big question remains, however.

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Could he bring his strengths to Bayern where he would have less space? His contract in Leipzig runs until 2024, so it would probably be expensive. There should be plenty of competition with PSG and United, for example.

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PAULO DYBALA: The Argentinian has often been associated with Bayern in the past, but it never really became concrete. After seven years in Turin, the 28-year-old will now leave Juventus – free of charge!

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Dybala is also more of a hanging forward than a classic centre-forward. Bayern have enough of that with Müller and Musiala. In addition, he should demand a princely salary. At Juve he turned down an offer of 12 million euros, it is said.

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SEBASTIEN HALLER: The ex-Frankfurter went through the roof at Ajax this season. After 37 competitive games, he already had 33 goals and nine assists. In the Champions League he scored eleven times in eight games and put on two stalls.

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Haller is a classic target player, but he also has underappreciated technical ability. Nevertheless: With him, Bayern would have to adapt their offensive game – and pay a lot of money with a contract term until 2025.

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DARWIN NUNEZ: Like Sesko, Nunez is a type of player very similar to Lewandowski. However, at 22 he is already further along and more experienced than the Slovenian. He has a high work rate on the pitch, is fast and finishes well.

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Technically, he can’t quite match Lewandowski, but he’s faster. Accordingly, he is also more of a player who is looking for depth and needs speed in his game.

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Too big a question mark for a player with a market value of over €40m and a contract with Benfica that runs until 2025? Possibly. Still, he’s one of the most desirable strikers out there and worth considering.

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ADAM HLOZEK: The 19-year-old is similar to Sesko. Hlozek is currently under contract with Sparta Prague, but has already attracted the attention of half of Europe. Because of his athleticism, he can be used flexibly.

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But the question also arises as to whether the first step should lead to a top club. However, he should still be on Bayern’s note, as various media reported in January.

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ROMELU LUKAKU: He too would be a great solution – and is said to be unhappy at Chelsea. “Real Madrid, Barcelona and Bayern Munich. Every player dreams of playing for one of these clubs,” said the Belgian earlier this year.

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In addition to a transfer fee, which should tend towards 100 million euros, there would also be a princely salary. Maybe on loan? Or any of the other options from the list?