Leon Goretzka does not like the dispute between Robert Lewandowski and FC Bayern. He hopes for a "good solution" for everyone involved. In the home of the world footballer, his recent appearance caused a stir.
Herzogenaurach/Warsaw (dpa/lby) - In the increasingly violent dispute between world footballer Robert Lewandowski and FC Bayern Munich, national player Leon Goretzka has made an appeal to both sides. "I think that overall it was an incredible success story for both FC Bayern and Lewy. And just to pay tribute to this story, I would be happy if both sides took out a bit of emotionality and tried to find a good solution for everyone involved," said the 27-year-old Bayern professional on Tuesday in the German national team's quarters in Herzogenaurach.
The day before, Lewandowski had increased the pressure for a transfer from the Polish national team a year before his contract with the German record champions expired. "For today, one thing is certain: my story with Bayern is over. After everything that has happened in the last few months, I can't imagine continuing to work well together," said the 33-year-old. In his view, an immediate transfer is "the best solution for both sides".
After Lewandowski's advisor Pini Zahavi had already declared the chapter over, the world footballer himself added to the amazement of the Bayern bosses. "Lewandowski ignites the bombshell: Bayern is already history for me. It is rare for a player of this class and skill to express his wish to part ways with a club as big as Bayern Munich, for whom he has been since 2014 played", wrote "Przeglad Sportowy" in Poland.
The management of FC Bayern has so far insisted on a contract being fulfilled. Lewandowski is apparently drawn to Spain to FC Barcelona. The Catalans would have to pay a transfer fee for him this summer. This would have to be at least 40 million euros for Bayern to consider a change. Top scorer Lewandowski moved to Munich from Borussia Dortmund on a free transfer in 2014.
"There are many indications that the Polish striker will not return to the Bundesliga after the summer break. It has long been said that he could switch to FC Barcelona," wrote "Fakt" in Lewandowski's home country.
Lewandowski's departure would also be a blow for the Bundesliga after Erling Haaland moved to Manchester City. "You can already see that we are lagging behind in the marketing of football, especially abroad," said former Bayern boss Karl-Heinz Rummenigge to the TV broadcaster Bild. "You almost have to pray that Lewandowski will stay in the Bundesliga after Haaland's departure. He is the absolute attraction of the league."
