As uncertainty over his future persists, Robert Lewandowski could not hope to win more trophies at Barcelona and should therefore stay at Bayern Munich. That is the message from former Bayern chief executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, who has pleaded with the Bundesliga giants to preserve star Lewandowski despite the Blaugrana’s interest. The Poland international has had another outstanding season, scoring 35 goals in 34 top-flight appearances — no player in Europe’s top five leagues has scored more. However, Lewandowski, whose contract with Bayern Munich expires in June 2023, has been linked with a move to Barcelona following another outstanding personal season. He helped Bayern win a record 10th league title in a row. Questions over Lewandowski’s future linger after he and his agency said they had not received a new contract offer, despite Bayern claiming a “solid offer” was on the table. And Rummenigge believes his former side must do everything to keep the 33-year-old. “I see things much more relaxed. One decisive factor: Robert Lewandowski has a contract that does not expire this year but next year. “That means the club can decide what to do, whether they sell him or not. I think [Bayern CEO] Oliver Kahn used the words ‘Lewandowski stays, that’s that’ to show the door is closed. We’re not selling him! “I can’t imagine that Bayern Munich will now give up Robert with these statements. I’ve experienced that myself. “In 2013 [the year before the Poland international joined from Borussia Dortmund], we prepared a lot of things with Lewandowski, but [BVB CEO Hans-Joachim] Watzke said categorically, ‘we won’t sell him a year before, for any money in the world’. It all happened peacefully. “I don’t know Robert as a rioter either. He is irreplaceable for FC Bayern. Since he’s here, he scores between 40 and 50 goals every year. You need a player like that, even if he’s about to turn 34. That’s a guarantee that doesn’t exist anywhere in Europe. He is extra class. “He is a knowledgeable person who has to be involved. He’s someone who wants to win. But I don’t think you can currently win more in Barcelona than at Bayern. “I have to say openly and honestly, what more can Barcelona offer than Bayern Munich? I can’t think of anything at the moment. “He’s a goal machine which has set records in all competitions. I wouldn’t give up a player like that voluntarily. You have to fight for it, have conversations and cuddle with advisors, even if it’s not that easy.” Likewise, for more football news like this, click here.He told BILD:
