Oliver Kahn has insisted that Robert Lewandowski will remain at Bayern Munich beyond the summer, thus handing Barcelona a major blow in his pursuit.
In an interview with Amazon Prime Sport, as quoted by Goal, Oliver Kahn has quashed rumours linking Robert Lewandowski with a move away from Bayern Munich. The Bundesliga club’s CEO has categorically branded the speculation as nonsense amid the Polish goal machine’s links with Barcelona.
Robert Lewandowski has established himself as one of the greatest strikers of all-time since joining Bayern Munich from Borussia Dortmund nearly eight years ago. During his stint with the Bundesliga giants, the 33-year-old has been, by far, the most prolific attacker in Europe, becoming a goal machine in the process.
The Polish international has enjoyed an excellent 2021/22 campaign, amassing 47 goals and four assists in 41 appearances across all competitions. But Lewandowski faces an uncertain future at Bayern Munich, as he has a little over a year left on his current contract, with talks over a renewal stalling. Such a situation has captured the attention of Barcelona.
Barcelona will delve into the market for a striker in the summer transfer window, as Martin Braithwaite and Luuk de Jong will leave Camp Nou, even though the latter has hinted he wants an extended stay. The duo’s departure will leave Xavi Hernandez with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang as the only natural centre-forward at his disposal.
Lewandowski situation. FC Bayern director Kahn has been clear: "He's gonna stay with us next season". ? #Bayern
Lewandowski wants a three year deal to stay – otherwise he'd still be prepared to leave this summer.
Barça are not in contact with Bayern, only with Robert's agent. pic.twitter.com/BZCnxpN66g
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) April 13, 2022
While Erling Haaland initially emerged as the priority target, signing the Borussia Dortmund striker is beyond Barcelona’s means. Lewandowski has thus emerged as a viable alternative for the Blaugrana, with the player himself keen on joining them in the summer transfer window.
But Oliver Kahn has moved to quash widespread speculation linking Lewandowski with a summer exit from Bayern Munich. The Bundesliga club’s CEO said that rumours surrounding the 33-year-old are nonsense and that the Bavarian giants will not discuss a transfer amid links with Barcelona.
“We definitely have Robert with us for another season. We know what we have in him and we’re relaxed about it. Apparently there’s a competition out there: ‘Who will tell the biggest nonsense story about Robert Lewandowski?’ Talks will continue. We’re not crazy and are [not] discussing the transfer of a player who scores between 30 and 40 goals with us every season.”
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The Catalan giants have been scouring for ways to secure the services of Lewandowski. But Kahn’s comments have handed Barcelona a huge blow, and they might need to look elsewhere to sign a striker in the summer transfer window.
