Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski reveals that a couple Real Madrid players tried to convince him to leave over the summer.
There was a lot of speculation around Robert Lewandowski’s future at Bayern Munich last summer. The Polish striker tried to force a move away from the club, but Die Roten were reluctant to let go of their talismanic striker. Lewandowski’s agent openly insisted that his player wanted a new adventure after a disappointing end to the 2017-18 season.
Real Madrid was earmarked as the most likely destination for the Pole should he have left Bayerm. Lewandowski has always admired the Spanish club, but a move never materialized in the summer. Speaking recently in an interview with BBC (via Goal), Lewandowski insisted that Cristiano Ronaldo and Sergio Ramos urged him to join them previously. The Pole further added that he rejected such approaches and is now completely settled in Bavaria.
"“Yeah [they approached me], but you know, if you play at the high level, everyone says, ‘He can move there or there or there’, but it’s not important for me.“Because I know the feeling, and I know after what everyone has said, so many teams want you, but the most important thing is what I want. And what I decide. So this time I’m not thinking about another move in my career.”"
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The reigning Champions League victors sold Cristiano Ronaldo last summer, and there was a general feeling that they would be in the market for a prolific goalscorer like Lewandowski. However, they made no concrete moves for the player, and he eventually decided to stay at Bayern. He reportedly held talks with the club chiefs to seek more assurances about his role at the club.
Lewandowski has not sulked this season after the club denied his transfer. Instead, he has improved his overall game and become a more effective team player. His scoring exploits have brought Bayern back at the top of the table in the Bundesliga, as has his newfound creativity.
Bayern’s chiefs ferociously defended Lewandowski in public when he was criticized by Dietmar Hamann a few weeks ago, a marked turn from how they responded when he came under fire toward the end of last season. The Polish striker was widely criticized for not delivering in the big Champions League games.
In terms of goals, he enjoyed a good European campaign this season, but he struggled to have an impact against Liverpool in the first knockout round of the competition. Die Roten eventually crashed out of the competition after an appalling 3-1 defeat at the Allianz Arena earlier this week.
Lewandowski recently admitted that he is open to finishing his career at Bayern Munich. There have been reports in Germany suggesting the two parties will soon negotiate a contract extension. Real Madrid are reportedly going to overhaul their squad in the summer as well, which might reignite their interest in the 30-year-old. However, Lewandowski’s relationship with Bayern has improved drastically this season, so it would not be surprising to see him sign a new deal.