Barcelona is reportedly close to agreeing a lucrative financial deal with private equity group CVC, which will allow the team to pursue Bayern Munich forward, Robert Lewandowski.
La Blaugrana is still looking for an out-and-out striker this summer, with Sergio Aguero forced to retire due to unanticipated health issues and Memphis Depay unable to re-establish himself following a protracted injury layoff. Despite Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s great start, the search is still on.
The Catalans had been considering a deal for Erling Haaland of Borussia Dortmund. However, the financial implications of such a transaction – perhaps a €250 million investment over the following five years – made it difficult for a club still emerging from near-bankruptcy.
Barca have been connected with Lewandowski as an alternative to Haaland, who is increasingly anticipated to join Manchester City.
The Pole, who will be 34 in a few months, would be more economical than Haaland because he only offers a short-term answer, but Barça still needs a cash injection to make it feasible.
At present, a CVC collaboration that would secure €270 million in investment is nearing completion. Some of it will be used to cover immediate expenses, but there will be enough left over to allow Barca to confidently enter negotiations with Bayern.
The German champions have made no secret of their desire to keep Lewandowski, with both CEO Oliver Kahn and sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic publicly stating their want to keep him.
However, the star has not ruled out the possibility of taking on a new challenge after recently winning his eighth Bundesliga title in his eighth season at Bayern. He recently acknowledged that he is ‘open to everything’ when it comes to his future.
Bayern Munich could accept a €40 million bid, which would be a significant windfall for a player of Lewandowski’s age who is out of contract next year.
The presence of agent Pini Zahavi, who represents Lewandowski and is reported to be friendly with Camp Nou president, Joan Laporta, is a crucial aspect for Barcelona. Zahavi has already notified Barca that Lewandowski is willing to cut his current wage.
