Bayern Munich are playing hard to get in negotiations for wantaway striker Robert Lewandowski.
Barcelona continued their crusade to sign Lewandowski but have yet to hear back from the German club about their most recent offer, which is worth over €40 million, according to ESPN’s Sam Marsden and Moises Llorens.
It’s the third time Barcelona have tabled an offer for the Polish international, who’s spoken publicly about his desire to leave Bayern Munich after eight years.
Barcelona’s latest bid includes add-ons that bring the total to over Bayern’s reported €40-million valuation of the 33-year-old striker.
But Bayern Munich officials have repeatedly stated that the club prefers Lewandowski to see out the final year of his contract, which expires in 2023. They’ve also expressed doubts over Barcelona’s ability to afford such a transfer given the club’s well-known financial restraints.
However, Barcelona have raised €207.5 million with the recent sale of their television rights, which could eventually help the Catalan side begin signing players this summer. Barcelona are also attempting to raise further funds by selling a 49.9% stake in their merchandising rights, Marsden and Llorens add.
Lewandowski scored 344 goals in 375 games after joining Bayern Munich in 2014.