Robert Lewandowski to spark auction with Manchester United, Man City and Chelsea in for £70m striker
EXCLUSIVE: Chelsea and both Manchester clubs ready to pounce as £70m striker ponders move away from Bayern Munich
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Your support makes all the difference.Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea have all been put on alert about a potential £70m summer move for the Bayern Munich centre-forward Robert Lewandowski this summer, with the Polish striker considering his future with the German champions.
All of England’s leading clubs had been interested in Lewandowski when he left Borussia Dortmund in 2014, only for the Polish striker to opt for Bayern. The Independent on Sunday has learned he is now reconsidering his situation.
It is understood that stance is not down to manager Pep Guardiola leaving Bayern in the summer – probably for Manchester City – but because Lewandowski wants a new challenge. At 27, he also wants to experience a new league while he is in the prime of his career.
If Lewandowski is to leave the Bundesliga, English clubs would face strong competition from Spanish giants Real Madrid and Barcelona, and with Lewandowski contracted until 2019 the fee will be at least £70m. Enriched by the money from the forthcoming lucrative TV deal, the English clubs are likely to get involved in an auction.
United’s main target in the summer had been Real Madrid’s Gareth Bale, and they had previously been given signals a move was possible. The Old Trafford club may have to reconsider those plans, however, because Bale wants to see how things develop at the Bernabeu under the recently appointed Zinedine Zidane.
Bournemouth last night agreed a £10m deal with Wolves to sign striker Benik Afobe. “He’ll bring strength, power and hopefully goals,” Cherries manager Eddie Howe said of the forward, 22, who scored 22 times last year. “There are still hurdles to overcome but we hope he’ll sign in time for Tuesday [against West Ham].”
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