Bayern Munich are growing increasingly concerned that star-striker Robert Lewandowski will take legal action as he continues to push for a move out of Germany.
The Polish striker made his desires to leave the club clear with the Bayern hierarchy after refusing to extend his current contract that comes to an end in summer 2023.
But with Lewandowski trying to force an early exit in the upcoming transfer window, and with Barcelona interested in his services, the German club are worried the striker will take legal action.
According to Bild, Bayern fear that Lewandowski will resort to legal means that no top star has dared to use before.
Article 17 of FIFA's Regulations states any player who signed a contract before the age of 28 can buy himself out of the contract three years after the deal was signed - a fact that Lewandowski's agent Pini Zahavi knows well.
The term has been labelled the 'Webster Ruling' after Andy Webster set the precedent during his move from Hearts of Midlothian to Wigan Athletic in 2006. The rule states that any player that does chose this option, must provide the club with a form of compensation.
If Lewandowski were to terminate his deal, he would only have to compensate Bayern with the salary of his last year of the contract - estimated at €24 million.
This would be considerably less than what Barcelona are willing to offer for the Pole, with the Catalan side said to be ready to fork up a €32m fee.
Lewandowski's intentions to join Barcelona were made clear after his agent Zahavi told Bild: 'For Robert Lewandowski, FC Bayern is history. Robert wants to leave FC Bayern after eight years in which he gave the club everything.
'Now, at almost 34, he has the opportunity to fulfill a lifetime dream and join the club he always dreamed of.
'Why is FC Bayern denying him this opportunity? For Robert, the matter is very clear: he wants to leave FC Bayern this summer. Nobody cares about money here, neither Robert nor me.'
The 33-year-old forward has contributed to eight of Bayern's 10 straight German titles and has been the Bundesliga's top scorer in six of those campaigns.
KhademAli
2
It's his desire to accept it. Let him leave and participate in the new challenge👏
29082989(deleted)
0
Soo sell him…?
Panja
2
Best of luck Lewy...you are one of the best. but any average striker will score plenty goals at Bayern. it's time for Sane to shine
auusmanscf
2
It's his desire to accept it. Let him leave and participate in the new challenge👏
FcBayern4immer
4
what are you lot not getting?? it's like 2 weeks into the transfer window so he will only go when we get the 45-50 million euro fee! it's called having some balls as management and waiting to reconcile or get the fee we want!! instead of just giving in @ tge 1st tantrum! and giving into lewandowski and barca & what they want because lewandowski is being a pretentious drama bi#tch! and the other one (barca) are desperate broke! so we have to just bend over and accommodate the both of them!??? lol what club do you think bayern are??! lol we didn't build our club like we have by being dip sh!T's!! on or off the field!! [Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh]
FcBayern4immer
0
I don't know why board try to keep him if he want to leave let him go give him his freedom he deserves it just convince him to stay if not agree let him go. We're bayern and we not defend on one man. Mia San Mia
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what are you lot not getting?? it's like 2 weeks into the transfer window so he will only go when we get the 45-50 million euro fee! it's called having some balls as management and waiting to reconcile or get the fee we want!! instead of just giving in @ tge 1st tantrum! and giving into lewandowski and barca & what they want because lewandowski is being a pretentious drama bi#tch! and the other one (barca) are desperate broke! so we have to just bend over and accommodate the both of them!??? lol what club do you think bayern are??! lol we didn't build our club like we have by being dip sh!T's!! on or off the field!!
FcBayern4immer
0
Dumb Managements Please allow to go or face the consequences.
lol he will go when dopey when we get the 45-50 million euro fee! it's called having some balls as management!! instead of just giving in and giving lewandowski and barca what they want because lewandowski is being a pretentious drama bi#tch! and the other one (barca) desperate broke! so we have to just bend over and accommodate them!??? lol what club for you think bayern are??! [Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh]
FcBayern4immer
0
If he wants to go, let him go. This BM board will be really useless.
lol he will go when dopey when we get the 45-50 million euro fee! it's called having some balls as management!! instead of just giving in and giving lewandowski and barca what they want because lewandowski is being a pretentious drama bi#tch! and the other one (barca) desperate broke! so we have to just bend over and accommodate them!??? lol what club for you think bayern are??!
Howbclsty
1
If Lewandowski lift i don,t support byren munich
rassgmofya
3
let him go he will understand when they say laliga
Petailrst
1
Dumb Managements Please allow to go or face the consequences.
sadam237
0
Lewandowski dream was to play for real Madrid but because of Benzema supremacy he couldn't achieve his dream. Now at the age of 34 he is acting like a child by publicly saying that he wants to leave to join Barca. lol 😂
acting like a child but enjoying money you'll never enjoy😂.. man let's learn to leave these players do what they want.. it's their life
damaimoruz
0
Really
tisdlprsuy
5
he'll be a waste in barca.... let him go he didn't recognise class
Yoedeipr
1
Let him go no problem
piecekpsz
2
If he wants to go, let him go. This BM board will be really useless.
Rizaeikmou
1
just let him go for his goals
⚽CR7FOREVER⚽
3
Lewandowski dream was to play for real Madrid but because of Benzema supremacy he couldn't achieve his dream. Now at the age of 34 he is acting like a child by publicly saying that he wants to leave to join Barca. lol 😂
Rahi09
2
I don't know why board try to keep him if he want to leave let him go give him his freedom he deserves it just convince him to stay if not agree let him go. We're bayern and we not defend on one man. Mia San Mia
janklmpt
1
don't hold him back let him go he'll just too god