Separate reports link Lewandowski to PSG and Chelsea as transfer target

Bayern Munich chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has repeatedly affirmed that Robert Lewandowski will not be allowed to transfer away from Bavaria this summer, but that has not stopped various top clubs from testing Bayern’s pain threshold. According to two new stories, Paris Saint-Germain are already negotiating behind the scenes, while Chelsea may make a serious bid to test the resolve of Bayern’s front office with cash in excess of £100 million.

Ici c’est Paris

According to a report by L’Equipe du Soir (via Goal.com), Paris Saint-Germain have already opened talks with Lewandowski. PSG has just signed former Borussia Dortmund coach Thomas Tuchel on a two-year contract through 2020. Tuchel just missed Lewandowski at Dortmund, but may very well want to work with the striker who helped Bayern thwarted BVB during his tenure there.

PSG are allegedly exploring whether they might acquire Lewandowski. The speculation hinges in part on a domino effect that might be unleashed if Barcelona sign Antoine Griezmann away from Atletico Madrid, who then hypothetically might buy disgruntled PSG striker Edinson Cavani.

If that sounds unlikely, it follows hot on the heels of another Goal.com story alleging that Lewandowski is being considered as a possible replacement for Neymar—should he leave for Real Madrid. The alleged mastermind behind this implausible scheme? Pini Zahavi, of course, who represents both players.

Obviously, Lewandowski and Neymar are completely different players, but it would not be totally preposterous if Zahavi used his connections to find a place for Lewandowski at PSG should Cavani depart. Given the personality conflict between the striker and superstar Neymar, PSG and Cavani could reach what might be termed an amicable divorce. Lewandowski is about a year and a half younger than the Uruguayan star and equally prolific.

London calling

An exclusive report by the chief football writer of the Telegraph, Sam Wallace, Roman Abramovich’s Chelsea intend to make Lewandowski their no. 1 target this summer. Chelsea (probably rightly) believe that Lewandowski wants to leave Bayern and, more importantly, are prepared to offer over £100 million (ca. €114 million) to appease the Bavarians.

The club is supposedly pursuing this ambitious goal despite the fact that the British government is currently denying club-owner Abramovich a visa until he can account for the origins of his wealth and that the club is in something of a standoff with coach Antonio Conte.

Be that as it may, Chelsea allegedly hope that spending a massive fee on a player of Lewandowski’s caliber will persuade other disgruntled superstars—namely, Eden Hazard and Thibaut Courtois—that the club is serious about pursuing domestic and European silverware.

Lewandowski in no hurry to join Poland for Russia

To top it all off, Polish newspaper Przeglad Sportowy reports that Lewandowski has asked for and received permission to report late to the Polish national team for the World Cup this summer so that he will have sufficient time to complete a transfer. Przeglad Sportowy claims Lewandowski has already received offers from PSG, Chelsea, and (of course) Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City.