Poland manager Czeslaw Michniewicz has tipped Liverpool to hijack Barcelona 's transfer swoop for Robert Lewandowski.
The 33-year-old recently went public with his desire to leave Bayern Munich in the summer transfer window, declaring that 'his story is over' at the Allianz Arena. Now on international duty, Michniewicz has weighed in on the speculation surrounding his future and wants to see Lewandowski reunite with Jurgen Klopp, his former Borussia Dortmund manager, at Anfield.
"I'd like to see Lewandowski in Liverpool since I'm a supporter of the club," the Poland boss told a news conference ahead of his side's Nations League opener against Wales on Wednesday.
While Barcelona remain the overwhelming favourites to sign the striker, Chelsea, Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain have been linked with interest.
Lewandowski confirmed on Monday that he wants to leave Bayern after eight years which have seen him break countless goalscoring records to assure his status as a Bundesliga legend.
"My story at Bayern is over," the former Dortmund star stated. "After everything that has happened in recent months, I cannot imagine further good cooperation. Bayern is a serious club and I hope they will not keep me just because they can. A transfer is the best solution for all parties."
It was at Dortmund where Lewandowski made his name as one of Europe's most feared marksmen, enjoying success under Klopp, who has waxed lyrical about the Pole's career since theywent their separate ways.
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When asked during an interview with Bild who the best player he had worked with as a manager was, the Liverpool boss firmly replied: "Robert Lewandowski. It actually won't be fair to say that about any other player except Lewy. What he has made out of his potential, how he pushed himself to become the player he is today, that's extraordinary.
"Lewy took every step he needed to take to be that goal machine. Every one. He has immersed himself in the game, he just knows in every situation what he has to do, where he has to go. Lewy is an absolute machine."
The Reds' chances of signing him - which would admittedly go against the criteria of their successful recruitment model - have also been boosted by LaLiga president Javier Tebas, who has claimed that Barcelona currently cannot afford him. "Barca already know what they have to do if they want to sign Lewandowski. They know our economic control rules perfectly," Tebas stated in quotes carried by Stadium Astro.
"It's to avoid major economic problems. I don't know if they will sell [Frenkie] de Jong or Pedri. They know what they have to do, sell assets. Barca have had many accumulated losses in recent years, some that could have been avoided, and they have to fill the pantry. Just like [Real] Madrid has filled their pantry, Barca's is empty. Today they cannot sign him."
