Ikenna Okafor
Robert Lewandowski has rejected Paris Saint-Germain and agreed a deal with Barcelona, according to reports in Spain.
The superstar striker announced his desire to leave Bayern Munich this summer, with the Spanish giants leading the race to sign him. And Mundo Deportivo report the Pole has signed a three-year contract on around £175,000-a-week with Barca, worth £27million in total.
French champions Paris Saint-Germain were keen to hijack the move, but Lewandowski’s camp is said to have assured the Catalan side his heart is set on a move to the Nou Camp.
But he must wait for cash-strapped Barcelona to offload players before his move can be confirmed.
La Liga president Javier Tebas insisted the transfer ‘cannot’ happen due to financial constraints on the club.
Barcelona are set for a key meeting on Thursday to discuss how to offload players from their massive wage bill.
Lewandowski does have a year left on his contract, meaning Bayern can keep him if they wish.
They are not desperately keen to let him go but the 33-year-old has been extremely outspoken about his wish to leave.
On international duty, Lewandowski said: ‘My era at Bayern is over. I don’t see any possibility to continue playing for this club anymore.
‘Bayern’s a serious club and I believe they won’t keep me, I don’t want to play there anymore. A transfer is the best solution. I hope they don’t stop me.’
The Bundesliga title holders also want to sign Liverpool’s Sadio Mane, and Lewandowski’s departure could help raise funds for the move.
Lewandowski rejects PSG, signs £9m Barca deal