Manchester United are reportedly preparing a move for Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski.
The 33-year-old was again in impressive form for his German club during the 2021-22 campaign, scoring 50 times in 46 appearances in all competitions, in addition to registering seven assists.
Lewandowski only has one year left to run on his contract at Allianz Arena, though, and he has expressed a desire to leave the club this summer in search of pastures new.
Barcelona are still seen as the favourites for the Poland international, while Chelsea have recently been credited with an interest, as the Blues prepare to allow Romelu Lukaku to depart.
However, according to the Daily Star, Man United are also in the mix for the striker, having seemingly missed out on a deal for Benfica forward Darwin Nunez.
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The Red Devils are believed to have identified Nunez as a leading target to boost their attack this summer, but the Uruguay international is now allegedly heading for Liverpool.
Barcelona are determined to sign Lewandowski in the current market, but the Catalan club's financial issues could ultimately price them out of a deal, with La Liga president Javier Tebas recently claiming that Xavi's side cannot afford to bring the forward to Camp Nou.
"Barca, today, cannot sign him. Barcelona know what they have to do. He (Barcelona president Joan Laporta) knows perfectly our rules of economic control and his financial situation," Tebas is quoted as saying by Mundo Deportivo.
"The rules are to avoid major economic problems in the entities. I do not know if he will sell [Frenkie] De Jong, Pedri or Pepito Perez. He knows what he has to do, sell assets and earn more."
Bayern would reportedly refuse to sell Lewandowski for under £40m, which Chelsea and Man United could both afford, but the fee would prove to be problematic for Barcelona in the current climate.
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Cristiano Ronaldo is set to stay at Man United this summer despite the speculation surrounding his future, while Marcus Rashford is also expected to be given the chance to prove himself to the club's new head coach Erik ten Hag.
Edinson Cavani has left on a free transfer, though, and there is also uncertainty surrounding the future of Anthony Martial, which is expected to see the Red Devils enter the market for a new striker.
Lewandowski has scored 344 goals and registered 72 assists in 374 appearances for Bayern in all competitions since moving to Allianz Arena from Borussia Dortmund in 2014.
"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 forward told reporters while on international duty with Poland.
Despite being determined to sign a new forward this summer, Ten Hag's priority is believed to be to address Man United's midfield, with Barcelona's Frenkie de Jong seemingly nearing a switch to the 20-time English champions.
Matt Law
