Bayern Munich sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic has said that "things will get calmer", as Robert Lewandowski continues to be linked with a move away from Allianz Arena.
The 33-year-old has told the Bundesliga champions that he wants to leave this summer, 12 months before the end of his contract at the club.
"My era at Bayern is over. I don't see any possibility to continue playing for this club anymore. Bayern's a serious club and I believe they won't keep me, I don't want to play there anymore. A transfer is the best solution. I hope they don't stop me," Lewandowski told reporters while on international duty with Poland.
Barcelona have long been seen as the favourites for the centre-forward, but a recent report claimed that Manchester United were now also firmly in the mix for his signature.
Lewandowski was again in excellent form for Bayern during the 2021-22 campaign, scoring 50 goals and registering seven assists in 46 appearances in all competitions, but he is keen to seek pastures new at this stage of his career.
© Reuters
Salihamidzic recently said that the German champions would not allow the Poland international to leave Allianz Arena this summer under any circumstances.
"I would not accept it. We have the best player in the world and we want him to stay here. We are proud of him and we are very fond of him. We haven't negotiated with him yet, but we will," Salihamidzic told Sky Deutschland.
"Lewandowski leaving this summer is not an option. He has a contract until 2023. We will have some talks soon and we will see how they develop and how to act afterwards. We want him to stay."
There have been further developments since the club's sporting director last spoke on the matter, but he has suggested that Bayern are still confident of keeping hold of the centre-forward.
© Reuters
"He has a contract until 2023 and we're very happy that he's here. I think things will get calmer now. We discussed about his public statements and that we should all calm down," Salihamidzic told journalist Christian Falk.
Lewandowski has scored 344 goals and registered 72 assists in 374 appearances for his current side in all competitions, winning eight Bundesliga titles, three German Cups and the Champions League.
Barcelona are still believed to be at the head of the queue for the striker, although the Catalan outfit's financial problems could prevent them from signing him in the upcoming market.
Chelsea will be in the market for a new forward if Romelu Lukaku is allowed to return to Inter Milan, while Man United have seemingly missed out on Darwin Nunez to Liverpool, with the Reds now said to be closing in on a deal for the Benfica attacker.
Lewandowski's contract at Allianz Arena is due to expire next summer, and he has reportedly told Bayern that he has no desire to sign a fresh deal.
