Robert Lewandowski has confirmed that his Bayern Munich career is "over" as he looks set to end his eight-year stint in Bavaria in the summer transfer window.
Lewandowski has reportedly told the Bundesliga giants that he 'won't sign a new deal' as he has already lined up a new club, as Polish television channel TVP Sport recently claimed Barcelona are in the driving seat to secure the player's signature. The 33-year-old striker is out of contract at Bayern in the summer of 2023 and the club are keen to avoid losing him as a free agent.
Last month, Bayern CEO Oliver Kahn poured cold water on the suggestion that the Poland international would be leaving the club as he comes closer to entering the final 12 months of his contract. This prompted Barca boss Xavi to address the transfer rumours directly about the forward, who bagged a remarkable 50 goals this term and has surpassed the 40-goal landmark in seven successive seasons.
However, Lewandowski's latest comments appear to be an attempt from him to force an exit this summer and that would almost certainly prompt Bayern into a weaker negotiating position with a transfer increasingly likely. Manchester United have also been linked with an ambitious move for the Poland international, although Barca are thought to be front-runners.
On Monday, Lewandowski confirmed he would move on this summer although did not name a definitive club, in quotes carried by Diario Sport: "Am I optimistic about signing for Barca? It's a big question. I don't like being in this situation. What is certain at the moment is that my career at Bayern is over.
"I don't see any chance of continuing my career at this club. Let's see what we can do in the next two weeks, I don't want to continue at the club and I would like to focus on Poland. After the Nations League, we will have time to talk about the situation, but I don't see any possibility to stay at Bayern."
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The striker added that he hopes the German champions "don't keep me just because they can" before reiterating "my era at Bayern is over."
Lewandowski has already been in contact with the Red Devils - albeit when things were different at Old Trafford. Before Sir Alex Ferguson signed Robin van Persie in 2012, the legendary manager spoke to the up-and-coming marksman while he was still starring for Dortmund.
"After my second year in Dortmund, I had a conversation with Sir Alex Ferguson," Lewandowski revealed in 2020. "He wanted me to come to Manchester. I was very interested. I can even say I was ready. But Dortmund didn't want to let me go. It didn't upset me more than that because things were going well with Borussia."
United have been linked with signing a striker in the summer window, with Cristiano Ronaldo potentially leaving and Edinson Cavani exiting as a free agent, alongside Paul Pogba, Jesse Lingard, Nemanja Matic, Lee Grant and Juan Mata.
