The era of Robert Lewandowski is coming to an end.
The Poland forward, who has scored
My story is over. During a press conference with the Poland team, Robert Lewandowski said that he doesn't see any chance of playing for this club anymore.
These are harsh words coming from one of the mainstays of the club. Pini Zahavi is the agent for the man, who has chosen confrontation over dialogue with his club to force a move.
In recent weeks, the management of the company repeatedly stated that Lewandowski is not for sale.
The forward, who will turn 34 in August, plans to sign one last lucrative deal this year and will likely end his career in Barcelona.
He has a verbal agreement with the Catalan club. Barcelona are under strict financial supervision by the Spanish league and cannot easily pay a likely transfer fee of about 40m euros.
For a club that has been considered a European superpower for more than a decade but is now in danger of falling even further behind the top clubs in Europe, the exit of Robert Lewandowski is only one issue.
The loss to Villarreal in the quarter-finals of the European competition has raised questions about the competitiveness of the team outside of the German league.
Winning the league for a 10th time in a row doesn't mean much as the domestic competition is miles behind.
Financial constraints have made it difficult for the team to fight an uphill battle internationally. In the last two years, they have been knocked out in the quarter-finals of the European competition, and there are fears that things could get even worse.
They don't have billionaire owners, but they do have reliable sponsors.
The impact of Covid-19 on revenue streams caused their liquid assets to decrease from 221m to 112m. The decrease is expected to be 60m euros.
Paris St-Germain, Manchester City, and Real Madrid are all able to compete economically. They have to act very cleverly in the transfer market to maintain a winning culture.
The fact that they will lose their top scorer this summer has made them peace with the fact that they are planning for a future without him. According to sources within the club, the plan is to play with a fluid three-man attack and not a target man.
While the club is interested in traditional number nines such as Austria's Sasa Kalajdzic and the 19-year-old Slovenian Benjamin Sesko, they will not be able to replace Robert Lewandowski adequately.
There are only a few strikers who are at the level of Lewandowski.
Hoffenheim is planning for a three-man attack similar to the one used byLiverpool, because they have good players in Thomas Muller, Kingsley Coman and Jamal Musiala.
There are still some financial issues to be worked out in the negotiations between the management of Sadio Mane and the German club.
He could be seen as a statement signing for the German side and possibly prevent the Bavarians from falling behind even further on a European level.
In a time of need for calm and harmony, the people of Bayern are more uncertain than they have been in a long time. There are differing opinions on many things, including an aging squad.
Many players seem unhappy with their situation.
"I cannot imagine good co-operation after all that has happened in the past few months."
We don't know if his statement was a means to force a move or mirrors his honest opinion, but it is good fodder for those that have criticized the communication within the club.
Another key player, Serge Gnabry, could leave soon. Financial incentives are not the main motivation for the Germany winger as he considers his departure, because he recently received a lucrative extension offer. He thinks he is not respected enough.
If they go through a dry spell in the first few months of next season as they get used to playing without Robert Lewandowski, there could be a rift in the dressing room as everyone dislikes Nagelsmann.
The early weeks of next season will be a significant guide as to how successfully the German champion will tackle their uncertain future.
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