Manchester United should forget the Polish striker now.
Days before Euro 2012 kicked off rumours about Robert Lewandowski potentially moving to Old Trafford were going into overdrive.
His international coach Franciszek Smuda even tried to talk the striker up with a move, claiming he would fit in perfectly with the Premier League runners-up.
Having seen Shinji Kagawa force a move to Manchester United, German champions Borussia Dortmund are clearly in no mood to lose another key member of their title winning side.
Lewandowski’s situation is different, his contract expires in 2014 rather than next summer like Kagawa’s did, and Dortmund are under little pressure to sell unless crazy money comes in.
And that is exactly what would be needed, and exactly what the German champions appear to be requesting.
Dortmund chief executive Hans-Joachim Waetze told the German press: “It does not matter if we are to receive bids,’
“I have said for weeks that Robert will be back in training with our club after Euro 2012 and his holiday leave. And this is what will happen.”
Clearly they are adamant he will not be leaving. It has been reported that a £40 million price tag has been placed on him.
Which is clearly ridiculous, a month ago he was rated at £10 million. The striker has bagged 30 goals for the Germans including a hat-trick in the cup final, which pushed it up towards £15 million, but no more.
At Euro 2012 he scored in Poland’s opening game, and has another chance to justify his big reputation tonight against the Czech Republic.
Right now, United need to forget him. Their three strikers Rooney, Hernandez and Welbeck are just fine and if they can pick up a bargain striker for under £15 million they will be just fine.
United simply can’t afford £40 million, not to spend on a striker any way, they need to sort out their patchwork midfield made up of old stagers Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes and young pretenders like Tom Cleverley and Anderson.
An established centre-midfielder is what is required, and the club know that, which is why United can now distance themselves from Lewandowski- Dortmund will not sell and United cannot afford him, that’s the end of it.
Who should United sign up front and in midfield?
image: © wuestenigel
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