It’s official. As confirmed by Herbert Hainer, Bayern Munich have reached an agreement with FC Barcelona on a deal that will see legendary striker Robert Lewandowski finally secure his dream La Liga transfer. A saga that began in May and has unfolded in turns is finally over.
In the end, there would be no late third blow, nor final recall with the German record champions. Instead, the record holder is now eyeing a report of €45m + €5m – handsome but by no means exorbitant – in time to sort out pre-season plans for the two clubs.
A look ahead
Now players and clubs are free. Bayern have already landed Liverpool striker Sadio Mané, who so far is everything a football fan could want to see in a player. Mané showed how effectively he could play in the center last season, and he is quite the superstar. He could be the most exciting Bundesliga entry in years. He will get his chance from day one to bring his own flavor to the No.9 spot at Bayern.
Lewandowski, likewise, won’t have to re-enter a dressing room he himself has made potentially awkward with some choice comments this offseason. Instead, he will join Barca for his own tour of the United States.
As for his new club? Well, there might still be a few players left to throw money at or leave the club. But coach Xavi Hernández is looking at the real deal and the arrival of the superstar striker promises a fruitful partnership.
A look back
Let’s be clear, though, this is a massive change. The Robert Lewandowski era was one in which Bayern enjoyed – perhaps taken for granted – outrageous goal production year after year. Who could forget the time he came off the bench to score a huge five goals in new minutes to sink the Vfl Wolfsburg to the bottom of the ocean?
Or the year – 2021 – in which he broke Gerd Müller’s 49-year-old Bundesliga goalscoring record?
Or the unlikely manner in which he scored a record-breaking 41st goal in the dying minutes of the final day, tapping home after a scuffle in which every rebound so far had gone against him?
Lewandowski had outstanding individual and team achievements during eight wonderful years here, including the perfect league title record and the 2020 Champions League trophy. His partnership with Thomas Müller — you know, Thomassist Müller? – was the stuff of legend. It will be all the more singularly irreplaceable as the glories of this course in the history of Bayern are unforgettable.
But like flames to dust, LewanGOALskis to friends, all good things must come to an end.
The club will move on – Bayern always do. For head coach Julian Nagelsmann, it’s back to the drawing board, which the man of Xs and O’s should enjoy. Likewise for the remaining players on the roster, as well as any new ones who may still arrive, this is an exciting opportunity.
And for Lewandowski’s departure, it’s a chance to conquer football’s highest mountains again – in another league, for another team.
Farewell, Robert, and thank you for everything.
