Bayern Munich's plans for Sadio Mane hint that the club are preparing for the departure of Robert Lewandowski, despite previously claiming otherwise.
The Bundesliga champions have set their sights on signing Mane, 30, after the Liverpool forward decided to leave Anfield during the upcoming summer transfer window, even going as far as to tell his teammates. But while Bayern are bidding to gain one of the world's best attackers, they look set to lose their own in Lewandowski.
The striker, 33, has finally gone public with his desire to depart Bavaria after eight years. Barcelona are the overwhelming favourites for his signature but, until now, the German giants stood firm and club officials stated that Lewandowski would see out the final year of his contract.
Sky Sport in Germany, via Sport Witness, now report that Bayern boss Julian Nagelsmann is planning for his departure but does not view Mane as a direct replacement for the outgoing Pole, an out-and-out striker. Naglesmann would rather deploy the Senegalese ace as a false-nine given the fact they already boast a host of talented wide men in their ranks such as Serge Gnabry, Leroy Sane and Kingsley Coman.
Negotiations with Mane are said to be in a 'decisive stage' after agreeing a three-year deal with the Senegal talisman. The question now is whether the two clubs can agree a transfer fee, with Liverpool yet to receive official contact regarding a move. It is claimed that Bayern would be happy to pay as much as €30million (£25.6m) plus add-ons which could rise to €10m (£8.5m).
Meanwhile, Lewandowski is desperate to see his transfer to Barcelona come to fruition. Ahead of four Nations League matches as captain of Poland this month, the 33-year-old told a news conference: "My story at Bayern is over. After everything that has happened in recent months, I cannot imagine further good cooperation."
But Lewandowski has concerns over how willing his current club in sanctioning a sale, especially considering Barcelona's well-documented dire financial predicament. "Bayern is a serious club and I hope they will not keep me just because they can," he added. "A transfer is the best solution for all parties."
His comments were slammed by club director Oliver Kahn, who responded to Lewandowski in sour fashion by saying: "I can't tell you why Robert chose this way to communicate his situation. Public statements like that don't get you anywhere. Robert should know what he has at Bayern. Appreciation is not a one-way street."
Kahn had declared in April: "As of today, Robert has a contract with us for next season. We are in contact with Robert and want him to stay at Bayern for as long as possible. "Apparently, some believe that such talks and contract negotiations are just like an online manager game, where I click on something and he then extends his contract.
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"You also have to look at the situation of the players. Players who have performed well at this club for many years are outstanding. Robert became a world-class footballer with us. Robert is a player who has the potential to score 30 to 40 goals every year. Of course, at some point, players like this get the idea that 'I've achieved everything here and won everything'."
Barcelona president Joan Laporta is confident over a move, having been asked by a fan on camera whether Lewandowski was indeed coming to the Camp Nou. In a cheeky reply, Laporta stated: "This one has a better chance of coming, yes."
