Five potential destinations for Lewandowski as veteran striker seeks Bayern exit

After rising to stardom in Germany, Robert Lewandowski is craving a new challenge in his storied career and a host of European clubs are desperate to give him that opportunity.

The Poland striker - who has won eight Bundesliga titles and a UEFA Champions League title following his arrival at Bayern Munich in 2014 - is eager to leave the club this summer.

The 33-year-old admitted after Bayern Munich's 2-2 draw with Wolfsburg that he had told the club that he would not be signing a new deal and that he would be entering discussions with other clubs ahead of the summer transfer window.

Lewandowski's announcement will have been music to his suitors ears but the competition for his signature this summer will be fierce.

As it stands, Lewandowski has been heavily linked with a move to Barcelona as their manager, Xavi, is hoping to land a marquee signing this summer.

The Polish international has also been linked with a move to Paris Saint-Germain as the Ligue 1 outfit prepare for the potential departure of Kylian Mbappe.

While Premier League giants Chelsea are said to be vying over his signature as they look for an alternative option to Romelu Lukaku.

Therefore, Sportsmail have rounded up the five likely destinations where Lewandowski could end up in this summer.

Barcelona

Lewandowski's future remains up in the air at the moment but reports in Germany are claiming that the striker's representatives have reached a verbal agreement for him to move to Barcelona.

Playing in Spain is said to 'appeal' to the veteran striker and Barcelona have reportedly made the 33-year-old their prime target as they hunt for a new elite frontman this summer.

Barcelona manager, Xavi, is said to have spoken personally to Lewandowski about a transfer to the Nou Camp. While the player's agent, Pini Zahavi, is said to have a good relationship with Joan Laporta.

However, Barcelona may struggle to abide by LaLiga's financial fair play rule if they sign Lewandowski - who is expected to earn £17million gross and cost £30m in transfer fees.

As a result, the LaLiga giants will have to offload a host of players who are not in contention for selection next season to build-up revenue and free up space on the wage bill.

Paris Saint-Germain

Paris Saint-Germain have been targeting both Erling Haaland and Lewandowski as potential replacements for their star striker Kylian Mbappe - should he leave the Ligue 1 club.

The 22-year-old French international has been linked with a transfer to Real Madrid when his PSG contract expires and recently announced he is 'close' to revealing his future plans.

As a result, the Ligue 1 side have been drawing up a list of potential replacements for Mbappe and named Haaland and Lewandowski as their top priorities.

Given the fact Halaand has agreed terms to join Manchester City, it seems reasonable to suggest that PSG will focus on signing Lewandowski instead.

PSG are eager to add Lewandowski to their ranks considering his impressive form in Germany. The 33-year-old striker has scored 35 goals in 34 Bundesliga appearances this season.

However, PSG could be facing an up-hill battle as reports previously suggested that Lewandowski had turned down a move to the Ligue 1 side because his wife did not want to live in France.

Although, the 33-year-old refuted claims that his wife had been against a switch to PSG and said he turned down the opportunity as he was 'happy' at Bayern Munich'at the time he was approached.

When asked whether the rumours were true in 2019, Lewandowski said: 'No. I have never heard anything so stupid. Big fake news. It has nothing to do with it.

'Sometimes there are many parameters that come into play when deciding on the future. But I am very happy at Bayern Munich.

'I've already had the opportunity to sign with clubs in France in the past, but I cannot tell you everything.'

Chelsea

Chelsea is not the first team that springs to mind when you think about Lewandowski's likely destination this summer. However, Thomas Tuchel's side are said to be in the running.

The Chelsea manager is said to be open to finding an alternative striker during the summer transfer window as Romelu Lukaku has struggled to impress following his return to west London.

The Belgium international joined Chelsea in a club-record £97m transfer from Inter Milan but has struggled to justify his hefty price tag on the pitch and caused issues off it.

Lukaku's season has been hampered by illness, injury and a lack of form. The 29-year-old has only managed to score eight Premier League goals in 25 appearances this season.

Additionally, Lukaku has stirred the pot off the pitch - having criticised Tuchel and even suggested he wanted to rejoin Inter Milan in a bombshell Sky Italia interview at the end of December.

The striker was also embroiled in a public row with his agent ahead of Chelsea's FA Cup final showdown with Liverpool at Wembley.

Federico Pastorello told an Italian newspaper there was a 'problem' with Lukaku at Chelsea and that he would seek a meeting with the club's new owners this summer to discuss it. However, Lukaku refuted such claims on his social media account.

Due to Lukaku's issues on and off the pitch, Tuchel is said to be open to signing an alternative striker and has reportedly identified Lewandowski as a potential target.

Lewandowski's arrival could edge Lukaku out of the Chelsea team for good. However, the Belgian international believes he is as good, if not better, than the likes of Lewandowski.

Speaking in the summer of 2021, he said: 'When they talk about [Robert] Lewandowski, [Karim] Benzema, [Luis] Suarez, [Harry] Kane, they would say it's world class level and with me it's always about being in good form. In the last two years I think I have shown it's not just good form. I belong with that group, I am at that level.'

It remains to be seen as to whether Chelsea will be able to conduct business as usual during the summer transfer window. The Blues were banned from completing deals or renewing contracts while the club remained under the ownership of Roman Abramovich after he was sanctioned by the Government for links to Russian president Vladimir Putin.

However, the arrival of Todd Boehly - who was confirmed as the man to succeed Abramovich - could change things. The owner of the LA Dogers baseball team has already said he hopes to make 'heavy investment' this summer to bolster Chelsea's squad.

Manchester United

Manchester United have also been linked with a move for Lewandowski. The Red Devils have been monitoring the 33-year-old's situation at Bayern Munich for the past year.

According to Mundo Deportivo, Manchester United have ‘positioned themselves internally’ to sign Lewandowski in the summer transfer window - should a transfer to his preferred location fall through.

Lewandowski's arrival would fill the void left by Edinson Cavani after the club told the striker that they were not prepared to offer him a new deal. Additionally, Cristiano Ronaldo's future at Manchester United remains up in the air.

This not the first time Manchester United have tried to bring Lewandowski to Old Trafford. Sir Alex Ferguson reportedly tried signing the Polish striker in 2012 but a deal never materialised.

Bayern Munich

Lewandowski may have stated his desire to leave the Bayern Munich but the club's director of football, Hasan Salihamidzic, has said their attitude 'hasn't changed' and pointed out that the striker's contract doesn't expire until next summer.

The Bundesliga giants are reluctant to let go of their star striker - who has won eight Bundesliga titles and a UEFA Champions League title following his arrival at the club in 2014.

However, they understand the fact Lewandowski would like to leave and are looking for potential replacements as a result.

But, Bayern have made it clear they will 'veto' any move whether the striker 'likes it or not' if they are unable to find a replacement.

Therefore, should Bayern fail to find a suitable successor to Lewandowski, they will forbid him from the leaving this summer. As a result, he will feature for an additional season in the Bundesliga.