Xavi: 'Lewandowski is an option' for Barcelona

Barcelona manager Xavi confirmed Saturday that outgoing Bayern Munich star Robert Lewandowski is “an option” for the Spanish side this summer.

“Yes, Lewandowski is an option,” Xavi told reporters, according to ESPN’s Sam Marsden and Moises Llorens.

“He has already said he wants to leave, there are negotiations, but he still has a contract at his club. It won’t be easy – being Bayern – but it’s an option.”

The Polish striker confirmed last week he wants to leave Bayern after eight years to pursue other opportunities when the summer transfer window opens.

After weeks of speculation, Xavi revealed Barcelona’s interest in the prolific scorer ahead of Barcelona’s La Liga finale against Villarreal.

But completing a deal for the 33-year-old hinges on Bayern accepting Barcelona’s transfer offer and finding an attacking replacement to fill the massive void Lewandowski will leave behind.

Bayern Munich were eager to keep Lewandowski, offering a contract extension to the two-time winner of The Best FIFA Men’s Player award. But they later admitted defeat after Lewandowski rejected their offer.

Lewandowski, who joined Bayern from Borussia Dortmund in 2014, ended the 2021-22 campaign with 50 goals in 46 appearances in all competitions.

He played a pivotal role in helping Bayern win the Bundesliga in each of the eight seasons he spent in Munich, and he led the German side to a Champions League triumph in 2020.