Robert Lewandowski to join Bayern Munich?
By Mike Dyce
May 25, 2013; London, UNITED KINGDOM; Borussia Dortmund player Robert Lewandowski (left) shoots against Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer during the Champions League final at Wembley Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Groothuis/Witters Sport via USA TODAY Sports
There is a lot of uncertainty surrounding Borussia Dortmund striker Robert Lewandowski’s future and there has been a lot of stories. A story from Polish soccer magazine Pilka Nozna claimed that Lewandowski had a four-year deal in place with Bayern Munich and was set to sign it in January. That now appears to be incorrect.
Here is the time line of things as we see them.
“Right now, I can’t say anything. Normally, I can only reveal it officially in January,” Lewandowski said, via Sky. “At this moment, it is still too early and we’ll have to wait a bit. But I think, I can leave in January.”
When reporters asked him to confirm the move, after Dortmund beat 1860 Munich in the Allianz Arena, Lewandowski said, via ESPN FC: “Yes, because I can officially sign the new contract in January.”
At this point it seemed like he would sign a pre-contract with Bayern Munich in January, and officially make the move in the summer at the end of the season when his contract with Dortmund would expire. Lewandowski’s comments seemed to confirm the Polish magazine’s story.
Then came this separate ESPN FC story:
"However, the Poland international claimed on Wednesday that his words were down to a misunderstanding with the interviewer, and that there is no deal yet agreed with the European champions.“Looking at the video [of his interview] again, I became frightened of it,” Lewandowski told Sport Bild. “What I really wanted to express right after the game was that I will be able to pen a new deal in January at the earliest.“I only wanted to answer the question of when I will finally be taking a stand on my future. Like I have said many times, I want to leave Borussia Dortmund in the summer. Everything else I can only say in January.”"
My interpretation of those newest comments are that there is no deal yet. Lewandowski meant to say that he would be free to sign a new deal in January, because that is the earliest he could, but he still has not made a decision regarding his future.
So who knows what is going on for sure, the only thing that seems certain is that Lewandowski wants to leave Dortmund at the end of the year and Bayern Munich are the front-runners to sign him. He could still have a gentleman’s agreement with Munich for all we know.
“From our side there is nothing more to be said. We want to have a reasonable last year [with Lewandowski] — both sides have said that — and things are good,” Dortmund sporting director Michael Zorc said, via Ruhr Nachrichten.
It is similar to the NBA in that instead of “trading him,” or transferring him, in the January window and getting something in return they’re content to let him go at the end of the season. The only benefit to holding onto him is a chance to win the Bundesliga title and a Champions League run this year. It isn’t a wise decision for the long-term.
If Lewandowski were transferred in January he wouldn’t be eligible in Champions League play for another team and it would weaken Dortmund’s squad.