Former Ballon d’Or winner Jean-Pierre Papin has expressed his conviction that Bayern Munich would not be open to selling Robert Lewandowski, despite interest from the Premier League.
There has been considerable interest in the Polish superstar in recent weeks and months, with three EPL heavyweights understood to be keen on the striker.
The Express have reported that Manchester United and Arsenal are keen on the forward, while SportBild [via the Express] have claimed that Jurgen Klopp is keen on reuniting with Lewandowski, whom he managed during his time at Borussia Dortmund.
It’s easy to see why United would be keen on the frontman; the Red Devils have been struggling for goals so far this season—scoring fewer than their rivals at the top of the Premier League table—and high-profile summer additions Anthony Martial and Memphis Depay have failed to truly convince.
27-year-old Lewandowski, by contrast, has scored 15 goals in 15 outings in the Bundesliga so far this term, and surely possesses the quality to revitalise the Old Trafford heavyweights’ title tilt.
However, speaking to beIN Sports [as per Le 10 Sport], Papin—who won the Ballon d’Or in 1991—can’t see Lewandowski going anywhere.
“I can’t imagine that Bayern Munich would sell their player to a direct rival,” he began. “It’s one of the players who has scored the most.”
However, with Real Madrid also understood to be keen on the player [Marca], Papin has admitted that it’s not impossible that the Pole could move.
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“After what’s going on with Cristiano Ronaldo?” he questioned, referring to the Portuguese superstar’s mooted move away from the Bernabeu. “Of course, it’s possible, but known Bayern, I can’t see them strengthening a rival.”