Bayern Munich have reportedly asked Barcelona to pay them all the cash involved in the transfer of Robert Lewandowski before they can sign the Polish international this summer.
The La Liga giants have been heavily linked with a move for the striker ever since he expressed his desire to leave Bayern at the end of last season.
But the Bavarians are standing their ground at the moment, refusing to lower their £43m asking price of the player. Barcelona considers that prize too much for the player who has just one year left on his contract, but Bayern are not ready to shift their stance.
They also want to be paid in full straight away for Lewandowski, as they have concerns about Barcelona’s ability to pay the fee in instalments given their well-known financial struggles.
According to the Athletic’s Raphael Honigstein via Sportsmail, the German side do not want to be owed by Barcelona.
“Apparently Bayern Munich have told FC Barcelona they don’t want any instalments in any deal for Robert Lewandowski and that they want all the money upfront in cash,” Honigstein told The Totally Football Show with James Richardson.
The journalist also explained Bayern’s stance by joking: “Bayern might not be sure that FC Barcelona will still be around in one or two years’ time!”
The Bavarians have a reason to be worried, considering Barcelona’s economic situation. The Spanish La Liga club’s vice president Eduard Romeu claimed last month that they needed to raise £428m to save themselves from financial ruin.
Although Barcelona have since struck a £178m deal to sell off 10% of their TV rights for the next 25 years, they still do not have the money to finance major deals. They have been able to register Franck Kessie and Andreas Christensen as new signings, however, but need more money to be able to spend freely in the current transfer window.
