FC Bayern gives in to Robert Lewandowski's urging - and gives the player to FC Barcelona. For the people of Munich, the question now arises: how to react? Catch the loss with on-board resources, including Sadio Mané? Or think again of Cristiano Ronaldo?
On July 16, at 1:59 a.m., the most spectacular and annoying transfer saga in Bundesliga history ends. At 1.59 a.m., as if this madness wanted to quietly say goodbye to the Stadl stage. But the audience, which has been enthusiastic for weeks, is not so easily fobbed off by the great protagonists Robert Lewandowski and FC Bayern. That's why the final day in the nine-year marriage between the Pole and the club will be captured again in the best possible way. From the flight number to the flight route and the family outfits (Instagram!) when leaving Munich to the expected weather data in the Catalan metropolis of Barcelona, where the striker is now moving to the local Futbol Club, everything is documented in detail.
Hardly any file in recent human history has been more carefully maintained than the theater surrounding Robert L., the world-class anger and listless striker of the record champions. But no one needs to be sad, because the transfer field in Munich is far from mown with the departure from the Isar to the Mediterranean Sea. With Matthijs de Ligt, a new defense chief is to come. Attention: A private jet from Turin landed in the area around the Bavarian capital on Friday evening. No one knows who was on board. But this information is definitely good for a nice rumor! And then Konrad Laimer should also come, the RB clearer.
Almost despicable rumours, because already well smoked. Much more important is the question: Is Cristiano Ronaldo finally coming? The superstar is currently being offered like sour beer. No international colossus would want to sign the Portuguese giants, who are keen to leave Manchester United after just one season. There was also radio from Munich: great player, but no! Now we'll see what that's worth. Because a "Basta!" from Säbener Straße is by no means set in stone, as has been known since July 16, 1:59 a.m. In the local transfer forums, the discussions are already heating up again.
But is that really possible? Why not. Ronaldo really wants to win another big title, the Champions League. You can't do that with United. The club failed to qualify for the premier class and will duel in the Europa League in the future. So who is staying and who still has a spot open for the superstar? Of course, Chelsea with coach Thomas Tuchel is still on the distribution list. The "Blues" are reorganizing their squad, with the giant Romelu Lukaku having lent their man in the center back to Inter Milan after a disappointing year of working together. That leaves Timo Werner, who is not undisputed either. Ronaldo would be a good interim solution for the highest ambitions in the short term. With Mason Mount, Kai Havertz and Raheem Sterlin, something terrifying could happen.
And otherwise? Apart from FC Bayern, there are no other top options. The little spinning with Paris St. Germain and the first and last hallelujah of Ronaldo and Lionel Messi should have been done on Friday. With Hugo Ekitike, the Qatari giants have signed one of France's greatest forward talents. The look ahead, also rather unusual for this club. Incidentally, Ekitike is said to have been on the shortlist for potential Lewandowski heirs at Bayern Munich. Other names in this directory, which is only based on rumours: Joao Felix (Atletico Madrid), Victor Osimhen (SSC Napoli), Jonathan David (OSC Lille) and Sasa Kalajdzic (VfB Stuttgart) and the 17-year-old top talent Mathys Tel (Stade Rennes).
But can FC Bayern really take the risk of replacing their life insurance with a talent? For sports director Hasan Salihamidžić, who within a few weeks has grown from hostile to admired builder of the squad, and Julian Nagelsmann, that would definitely be an option, especially since the coach is not considered a big fan of the strong man in the center. During his time at RB Leipzig, he alienated Patrik Schick, who had the best time of his career in Leverkusen and was also considered a candidate for the record champions. With Sadio Mané, Salihamidžić has already bagged a force that can play everything on the offensive, including the centre. For that, the club also had Erling Haaland on the radar and his advisor sitting at the options table, in vain. The Norwegian is now tying his boots for Manchester City. By the way, the interest in Haaland is said to have finally driven Lewandowski into his anger (something in him had "died") towards FC Bayern.
But now back to FC Bayern's attack center: With Serge Gnabry, who now wants to extend his contract, there is also a second man who dares to make the penalty area his main habitat. National player Leroy Sané has also played the role in the front line, but he currently has form rather than position concerns. And Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting is still there.
But the scenario that is most fascinating is the following: Ronaldo comes for a year, then Harry Kane, who according to media reports FC Bayern has on the list for the coming summer, takes over because he will then be affordable with a one-year contract with Tottenham Hotspur appears. Until then, the record champion grabs the pot and Ronaldo the Bundesliga goal record from Lewandowski. The man is fit enough (of course), even during his "family break" he trains relentlessly and hard. He wants to attack again in sport - and probably not succumb to the temptation of an insane salary offer on the last stretch of his career.
CR7 is said to have been offered 250 million euros for two years by a club from Saudi Arabia, as reported by the Portuguese broadcasters TVI and CNN Portuguesa. But for the superstar, this unimaginable sum offered beyond all bounds of humility is apparently not appealing. According to information from the newspaper "AS" and the broadcaster ESPN, the 37-year-old wants to stay in top European football for at least a year, he is greedy for more trophies. Just like FC Bayern, who do not want to dwarf themselves into a one-title club, as field service alpha animal Uli Hoeneß once warned in a one-two.
By the way, when on July 16, at 1:59 a.m. (!) it was leaked that FC Bayern still had a transfer heart for the great longing of its star striker, it was 7:59 p.m. in Miami and Washington. prime time. And who flies to Miami and Washington on Sunday and Monday? Right, FC Barcelona (with Lewandowski, according to media reports) and FC Bayern (without Lewandowski, sure).
