Bayern Munich legend Thomas Muller has urged his team-mate Robert Lewandowski to withdraw his transfer request.
Lewandowski, who has just one year remaining on his existing deal, has publicly stated his desire to leave the Bundesliga champions this summer. Spanish giants Barcelona are leading the race to sign the 33-year-old and Bayern have reportedly identified Liverpool forward Sadio Mane as his replacement.
Although Lewandowski's Bayern career appears over, Muller doesn't believe it's too late. He wants the Poland skipper to reconsider his stance, highlighting the success Bayern icon Franck Ribery enjoyed in Bavaria after quashing links with Real Madrid in 2009.
"I want the one who has been my offensive partner [Lewandowski] for years to continue," Muller told Kicker via Marca. "We are in the summer break and it is a time in which we have experienced many things. I remember Franck Ribery's desire to go to Real Madrid."
Muller went on to say: "Any player who is still at Bayern on September 1 will want to play well, because playing badly is something that does not satisfy anyone... our relationship [Muller and Lewandowski] on the field is known.
"But, naturally, the business is such that this can change. In general, there is something key: the club is more important than us, the players."
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Bayern are keen for Lewandowski to continue his career in Bavaria. The veteran forward has scored 344 goals in 375 appearances for the club since leaving Borussia Dortmund on a free transfer eight years ago, with 50 of those coming this season.
Lewandowski is widely regarded as one of the finest footballers in Europe. The two-time FIFA Footballer of the Year has won 10 Bundesliga titles, four German Cups, the Champions League, UEFA Super Cup, Club World Cup and plenty of other trophies.
Barcelona want to sign Lewandowski to fill the void left by Lionel Messi after his move to Paris Saint-Germain last summer. Their highest scorer in La Liga this term was Memphis Depay with 12 goals. Messi managed 30 in the league during his final term in Spain.
Lewandowski announced his intention to leave Bayern earlier this week. He 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... we will have time to talk about the situation, but I don't see any possibility to stay.
Bayern CEO Oliver Khan has criticised Lewandowski for publicly expressing his desire to leave. "I can't tell you why Robert chose this way to communicate his situation," Khan told reporters. "Public statements like that don't get you anywhere. Robert should know what he has at Bayern. Appreciation is not a one-way street."
