Barcelona is expected to submit a final offer worth $50 million to Bayern in exchange for Robert Lewandowski. The Bavarian giants are expected to accept this fresh bid as they look to sign Matthijs De Ligt from Juventus.
According to Sky Sport Germany journalist Forian Plettenberg, Barcelona will also include bonuses that would see the final amount come in around $55 million.
Lewandowski reported for his Bayern preseason medical check today, then went to the club’s training ground to undergo further tests. Reports that Lewandowski would go on strike to force a transfer and that he was planning to skip his medical proved unfounded as the 33-year-old respected his contract commitments. After repeatedly going public on his wish to leave, it’s not certain if Lewandowski will be integrated into normal training or if he’ll be left out.
Barcelona had three previous bids for Lewandowski rejected, with the highest so far estimated at around $45 million.
Lewandowski out, De Ligt in?
According to Bild, Bayern had a $60 million offer for De Ligt turned down by Juventus. It’s believed the Italian club values the Dutchman at $80 million. Sources close to the negotiations claim an agreement is possible for a guaranteed fee of $70 million, with around $10 million in bonuses.
De Ligt is now at -500 to join Bayern during the current transfer window, with the next potential destination on the odds charts being Chelsea, at +400. The bookies don’t see De Ligt staying, placing Juventus at +600 to keep him beyond the summer.
Lewandowski, meanwhile, is at -330 to become an FC Barcelona player. Bayern is at +400 to keep him while a transfer to Paris Saint-Germain is at +600. Chelsea’s hunt for a top striker is expected to omit Lewandowski, as the West Londoners sit at +1000 to sign him this year.
The Bayern faithful are sure that Lewandowski, who finished as a runner-up in the race for the 2021 Ballon d’Or and won FIFA’s The Best award, will find it hard to change his mind. Bayern got the player’s message, despite the hierarchy’s stance in June that he’s not available for transfer. The club decided to stop selling Lewandowski-branded shirts at their official store for the time being. Lewandowski has one year remaining in his deal with Bayern, meaning that if he stays for 12 more months, he’ll be able to walk away for free in 2023.