You had to know this was coming.
One day after his incredible four goal performance against Real Madrid, Robert Lewandowski is rumored to be the target of a $46.4m (£30m) bid by Manchester United. It’s been a rumor that has gone hot and cold throughout the last year but after Lewandowski’s scintillating display last night, it’s now come to a boil.
Dortmund, however, are desperate to keep their star striker and claim they aren’t rushed to sell Lewandowski even though he has just 12 months remaining on his contract. United face competition for the Polish international from Bayern Munich, who recently triggered the $49.5 (£32m) release clause of Dortmund playmaker, Mario Gotze. Fortunately for the Black & Yellows, there is nothing to indicate that Lewandowski’s contract contains a similar provision.
Dortmund are expected to ramp up their efforts to re-sign their 33 goal hitman despite the reports that Lewandowski has turned down multiple offers and wants to leave for a bigger club. BVB will do everything they can to ensure that if they are unable to re-sign the striker that he does not end up in Bavaria. Relations between the two clubs are at an all-time low after Dortmund were furious with Bayern’s decision to announce the Gotze coup on the morning of the Champions League semi-final against Real Madrid.
The strain in relations between Dortmund and Munich will be a huge boost to United’s chances of signing Lewandowski. It is widely believed that it will take more than $46.4m (£30m) for Dortmund to part with the striker although BVB general manager Hans-Joachim Watzke has made the outlandish statement that his club may even keep Lewandowski for the next 12 months, even if it means the player eventually departs on a free transfer.
Surely, Sir Alex Ferguson can convince him otherwise.
If United are to sign the Polish phenom, a swap deal could be in the cards. The Red Devils have previously suggested bringing Atletico Madrid striker Radamel Falcao into the fold for cash and a swap of Javier Hernandez, who United claims to be valued at $31m (£20m), which seems a bit rich. Don’t be surprised if a similar offer is proposed to Dortmund.
One thing United won’t be doing is buying both Falcao and Lewandowski. Not only do they occupy the same role on the pitch but the cost required to purchase the two would be astronomical. Plus, United already have one of the best strikers in the world in Robin van Persie. Which raises the question – what would happen to the Dutchman if United purchased another high-line striker?
Surely, RVP won’t be sold. But we could see a situation where Ferguson begins to limit the number of appearances the Dutch striker makes in order to prolong his career. Van Persie turns 30 years old this summer and given his injury ravaged past and the number of competitions United participate in on a yearly basis, such a rotation might not be a terrible idea.
A move for Lewandowski would also raise questions as to what to do with Wayne Rooney. United could effectively finance a deal for Lewandowski if it were to sell Rooney to Paris Saint-Germain but whether Ferguson is truly ready to part with the Englishman remains to be seen.
But don’t be so sure United is the only English squad ready to make a play for Lewandowski. Manchester City are widely rumored to be looking to bring in a world-class striker and the Pole could be just the man for the job. What’s more, City are looking to unload Edin Dzeko and have entertained the idea of a swap plus cash deal.
The question then becomes: If you’re Dortmund, who would you prefer to swap for Lewandowski – Chicharito or Dzeko?
