Every day there seems to be some sort of new development in the chase after Robert Lewandowski, as Manchester City, who have already made a couple of signings this summer, have also joined the race for the Polish striker, hoping to finish ahead of Manchester United when it comes to acquiring him.
Last season, Roberto Mancini said more than once that the failure to sign Robin van Persie and instead watch him go to Manchester United cost his team the title. That might be oversimplifying things and taking his own guilt out of the second-place finish, but there’s no doubt that the arrival of the Dutchman, scoring 26 league goals, was the major factor in United’s trophy run.
Now, with Robert Lewandowski a candidate to join van Persie at Old Trafford, City are not willing to see another world class striker join their rivals and leave them in the dark. Despite the talents of Edin Dzeko, Sergio Aguero and Carlos Tevez, there wasn’t a lot of pleasure at Eastlands from their strikers’ production last season, as both Dzeko and Tevez might be on their way out pretty soon.
City have already made two big signings this summer – Jesus Navas of Sevilla for £14.9 million and Fernandinho of Shakhtar Donetsk for £30 million, but they’re not planning on stopping now, probably knowing they’re going to get some money back with the sale of either (or both) Dzeko or Tevez.
But there’s a huge question mark about whether Lewandowski would even like to play in the Premier League. Real Madrid had a €30 million offer accepted by Dortmund last week, but Lewandowski said he doesn’t want to play anywhere but for Bayern Munich, apparently because his market value and chances for sponsorship deals are at their peak when in Germany, and especially when playing for the biggest club.
Manchester United have been after the player for a very long time, and it would be a huge disappointment for them to see him choosing a different club, especially if it’s Chelsea or City, both interested in the Pole. Meanwhile, Dortmund don’t want to sell him to Bayern; anyone but Bayern. Unless they’re willing to see him leave for free in 11 months, at some point they’ll have to make some sort of concession, or convince him and his agent to change their minds about their future destination.