Star Striker’s Future Overshadows Bayern’s Champions League Exit

It has been more than 24 hours since Bayern Munich was eliminated from the quarterfinals of the UEFA Champions League by Villarreal, and the response in the German press has been significant. Sources close to the club have suggested that the situation is close to a boiling point. In the middle of it all is the future of Polish striker Robert Lewandowski.

Trouble at Bayern? That statement is remarkable; Bayern Munich, after all, is on course for a tenth title in a row. But the tenth title—a new record among Europe’s top five competitions—is primarily due to a lack of competition but Bayern’s strength.

A little more than 24 hours removed, the result against Villarreal is somewhat reminiscent of Germany’s final months after Bundestrainer Joachim Löw. Although Bayern bossed the game statistically, there was no inspiration, no creativity, no determination to overturn the result—the only goal came from a Robert Lewandowski deflection.

Lewandowski’s goal will be a footnote in this game. But the Polish striker has done enough to dominate the headlines off the pitch. Earlier this week, outlets in Poland reported that the 33-year-old striker had signed a pre-contract with Barcelona.

A transfer is very much dependent on Bayern Munich agreeing to a deal. Lewandowski is under contract until 2023. “We’ll definitely have him with us for another season,” Bayern Munich CEO Oliver Kahn said ahead of the game against Villarreal to broadcaster Amazon Prime. “We’re not crazy to discuss a transfer of a player who scores 30-40 goals for us every season.”

Although Lewandowski scored, his performance against Villarreal was the latest no-show by the 33-year-old. Whether it is injuries or not, it would be the second season in a row that Lewandowski was not on top of his game for a crucial Champions League fixture—like last season; the forward seems to carry a knock suffered while being with the Polish national team.

It is difficult to decipher the future of Bayern’s star striker. The bottom line appears to be that Lewandowski wants a significant pay raise and an extension until 2025. The club, however, is reluctant to sign any player over 30 to long-term deals. Another obstacle is his pay, Lewandowski earns $26 million a season and would like that amount increased to around $32 million.

Although one of the wealthiest clubs in the world, Bayern Munich has seen its revenue decrease during COVID-19, and there is no investor in place to balance the books like it is the case in England. In other words, the decision to renew with Lewandowski has to be carefully weighed.

The most likely scenario is that the club will speak with the likes of Manuel Neuer and Thomas Müller first, as both those contracts are considered easier to negotiate. Those two deals could become a take it or leave it benchmark for Lewandowski.

Either way, Kahn’s statements are telling. A transfer this summer would hurt Bayern. Potential replacements would be difficult to obtain. Erling Haaland does not appear realistic. Other candidates are Salzburg’s Benjamin Šeško and Stuttgart’s Saša Kalajdžić. Reports in Germany suggested that Bayern held talks with Kalajdžić’s management in January; he would be available for around $25 million. Another option is Bayer Leverkusen’s Patrik Schick.

Germany’s magazine kicker reported in its Thursday issue that Salzburg’s Karim Adeyemi is another candidate—more likely to replace Serge Gnabry. The problem with Adeyemi, however, is that he is in advanced talks with Dortmund and that RB Leipzig would also like to keep the player within the Red Bull cosmos.

Another potential candidate is Benfica’s Darwin Núñez. But the Uruguayan has offers from several European clubs. Also, and this is the case for all the other candidates, could he replace Lewandowski right away?

The question is most likely not! But whether it is this summer or next summer, the Rekordmeister will have to start the succession planning. For the present, the Lewandowski rumors have hurt the equilibrium at the club and certainly were a significant factor for Bayern Munich to exit the Champions League at the quarterfinal stage for the second year in a row.

Manuel Veth is the host of the Bundesliga Gegenpressing Podcast and the Area Manager USA at Transfermarkt. He has also been published in the Guardian, Newsweek, Howler, Pro Soccer USA, and several other outlets. Follow him on Twitter: @ManuelVeth