Robert Lewandowski clashed with Bayern Munich boss Julian Nagelsmann ahead of declaring that his career at the club was “over”.
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 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.
Recently, 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.
Lewandowski is just one year younger that Bayern boss Nagelsmann but it has now been revealed by TZ that the two clashed on the training ground in the closing period of the season. It is reported that the German coach drew the striker aside during one session to speak to him personally.
Nagelsmann is said to have told Lewandowski that he wanted Bayern to utilise width more in their attacking situations and went on to explain how he wanted the Poland international to position himself in order to best receive the crosses. This is said to have drawn the ire of Lewandowski, who swiftly informed the coach of his goal scoring numbers that campaign.
The report adds that this was not the only clash between the striker and the leaders at the club, where there is said to have been an increasingly uneasy relationship. That appears certain to lead to the player’s exit this summer at a knockdown price.
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The report adds that in December 2019, Lewandowski was nursing a muscular injury but wanted to return to Poland to spend Christmas with his family due to the Bundesliga winter break. Bayern denied the request and said that he needed to stay in Munich to recuperate, but he ordered a private jet to fly home anyway.
Last week, Lewandowski told reporters : "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."
