Robert Lewandowski reportedly rejected a massive 60 million euro (£50m)-a-year salary offer to leave Barcelona during the summer transfer window, showing no interest in ending his time at Camp Nou. The 36-year-old striker joined Barcelona from Bayern Munich in July 2022 and has since made 100 appearances for the Catalan club, scoring 63 goals and providing 19 assists.
Last season, Lewandowski tallied 26 goals and nine assists in 49 matches across all competitions. Despite some speculation earlier this year regarding his future, Lewandowski has two years remaining on his contract, with an option for an additional year. Rumors had circulated that Barcelona might be open to selling him, but he quickly turned down a lucrative offer from an unnamed Saudi Arabian club that would have paid him 60 million euros annually.
Robert Lewandowski Shining at Barca and Hansi Flick Appreciation
Robert Lewandowski has started the 2024-25 season in excellent form, netting four goals and providing two assists in five La Liga matches. While the Polish international has expressed interest in potentially moving to Saudi Arabia before the end of his career, he continues to perform at the highest level and shows no signs of slowing down. The Polish striker chose to remain in Catalonia, committed to regaining his top form under the guidance of new coach Hansi Flick.
Hansi Flick, Robert Lewandowski’s former coach, praised the striker in a recent interview, emphasizing his professionalism, fitness, and collective contributions to the team. To Flick’s credit, the German coach maintained his belief in Lewandowski, despite concerns about his age and dip in performance under Xavi.
Flick noted that Robert Lewandowski is not just about scoring goals but also about pressing high and working effectively for the team. According to Flick, Lewandowski remains in top physical condition and is capable of handling pressure, which makes him an exceptional player. As a result, Flick decided to retain Robert Lewandowski over the summer, entrusting him with the responsibility of leading Barcelona’s attack this season.
Raphinha Receiving a Mouth-Watering Offer as Well
Meanwhile, another Barcelona forward, Raphinha, was also linked with a move to Saudi Arabia during the summer transfer window. Reports suggested that the Brazilian winger was the target of a €100m (£84.5m) bid from Al-Hilal, which would have included a similar transfer fee for Barcelona. Moreover, a not-so-good season in Spain added more fuel to the fire regarding the winger’s move.
However, Raphinha, like Robert Lewandowski, declined the offer, opting to remain at Camp Nou. The 27-year-old has also enjoyed a strong start to the new season, with three goals and three assists in his first five La Liga appearances. Both Lewandowski and Raphinha have been instrumental in Barcelona’s impressive early form, helping the team maintain their position at the top of the La Liga standings. Looks like the decision to stay in Spain and under new coach Hansi Flick, will pay dividends to the two players this season and possibly in the long run. They both have a lot left in them to represent at the highest level.
