Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Transfer news: Robert Lewandowski rejects talk of having agreed to join Bayern Munich and admits he wants to play in England

His current club could look to sell the Polish striker in January although the current Champions League holders remain favourites to sign the 25-year-old

Jack de Menezes
Monday 14 October 2013 12:25 BST
Comments

Robert Lewandowski has played down rumours that he has already agreed a move to Bayern Munich at the end of the season by admitting he remains determined to play in the Premier League.

The Polish striker, he is preparing to take on England at Wembley tomorrow in a match that will decide the Three Lions’ World Cup future, has insisted that there is not a deal in place that will see him join the current Champions League holders, although it is common knowledge that he will leave Borussia Dortmund when his current deal runs out at the end of the year.

Speaking to The Telegraph, Lewandowski admitted that he spoke last season to former Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson, but claimed that there was never any talk of a potential transfer despite constant speculation regarding a move to Old Trafford.

“I will be able to sign a contract [with any club] in January, but I have never said that I will sign a contract with Bayern,” Lewandowski said. “It was a misunderstanding. It is true I had an opportunity to speak with Sir Alex Ferguson [last year], but we didn’t mention the transfer.

“One day I would like to play in Premier League. It would be a great experience.”

25-year-old Lewandowski also admitted that he nearly moved to England three years ago when Sam Allardyce attempted to bring the striker to Blackburn for £3m while he was at Lech Poznan, before deciding that Dortmund offered a better chance at developing into the lethal finisher he is today.

“There was a proposal from Blackburn,” Lewandowski claimed. “I even spoke with the former manager [Sam Allardyce]. In the end, I decided that Dortmund gave me a better chance of development as a footballer.”

Despite the talk that no deal exists, Lewandowski is still expected to move to the Allianz Arena in the summer, with Bayern having maintained a long-term interest in him through previous manager Jupp Heynckes and his replacement Pep Guardiola.

The current Bundesliga champions angered their close rivals when they triggered Mario Gotze’s release clause ahead of the Champions League final at Wembley last season, with the German midfielder making a €37m (£31.4m) transfer once the window opened.

So far, Dortmund have refused to cash in on Lewandowski, although they could still do so with a last ditch sale in January to another club, with Real Madrid believed to be interested in his services as they attempt to find a consistent goalscorers to compliment Cristiano Ronaldo’s incredible record. However, any move would require Lewandowski’s agreement, and he has previously spoken of his desire to join Bayern despite his current club’s reluctance to sell.

Despite the constant attention though, Lewandowski has his eyes on another game at Wembley before any transfer business takes place as he prepares to lead the line for his country against Roy Hodgson’s side tomorrow evening.

“Of course I remember the 1973 match, not only because of our good game and the score but also the background and rainy weather,” Lewandowski said when reminiscing of the last time the two sides met in a campaign deciding encounter, which Poland drew to prevent England from reaching the 1974 World Cup.

“But we know all about this England team and the whole team is very dangerous. As always, we will have to watch out for Wayne Rooney. It’s not only the task for defenders, but for the whole team, and it will be a very hard match.

“We won’t be favourites and we don’t stand a chance of going through, but we want to go to Wembley and at least allow our supporters a little fun. I don’t know why we have good players at top clubs but we don’t have a team who can play ruthless football and kill teams off. In qualification, victories and points are the most important things, not the style of play.”

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in