Manchester City face Chelsea competition for Lewandowski transfer as Aguero successor

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According to ESPN, Manchester City could face competition from Chelsea for the signature of Robert Lewandowski, as both Champions League finalists are potential destinations for the Bayern Munich striker.

Pep Guardiola’s Etihad Stadium natives are exploring a deal to sign the Poland international as they prepare for life after Sergio Aguero, with the Citizens icon set to leave at the end of the season.

Lewandowski is undecided on his long-term future in Bavaria, despite being under contract with the Bundesliga powerhouse through to 2023, and is expected to consider a move to the Premier League should an offer fall on the table.

Bayern Munich are naturally reluctant to part with one of German football’s all-time greats, and will demand approaches of at least €60million (£52.1m) to open negotiations over the 32-year-old’s availability.

Manchester City are not alone in being attracted to the idea of signing Lewandowski this summer, with Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel also mulling over a move as he looks to add firepower around Timo Werner after a difficult first season in England.

Paris Saint-Germain are keen, as well, but view the 2019/20 Champions League winner as a potential replacement for Kylian Mbappe, should the French wing wizard depart Le Parc des Princes amid his continued contract negotiations.

Lewandowski has shown no signs of slowing down in front of the net with a career-best 36 goals in 26 Bundesliga appearances this term, to edge to within Gerd Muller’s single-season record of 40 set during the 1971/72 season.

TBR’s view:

Manchester City agreeing to spend over £50m on a player who turns 33 this August may raise a few eyebrows, but Lewandowski will go down in the history books as one of Europe’s top strikers and is arguably performing at his all-time best.

Guardiola will need to acquire a new centre-forward this off-season with Aguero’s departure already confirmed, and may feel comfortable sanctioning the lofty outlay on a player he knows well from his time at Bayern Munich that returned three Bundesliga titles.

Lewandowski helped claim two of those titles after which Guardiola was effusive with praise for the attacker, noting via quotes by AS: “He is the most professional player I have ever met. In his head, he thinks about the right food, sleep and training: 24 hours a day.”

It is down to Lewandowski’s relentless professionalism that he is still performing at such an incredible level, and why sides like Man City, Chelsea and PSG are interested in his signature.