Chelsea report: Blues have one big advantage over Barcelona in Robert Lewandowski race

Robert Lewandowski
(Image credit: PA)

Chelsea are still trying to hijack Barcelona's move for Robert Lewandowski, according to reports - and they have one big advantage over the La Liga giants.

Lewandowski is keen to leave Bayern Munich this summer after eight years at the club.

The Poland international is out of contract at the Allianz Arena in 2023 but he is ready to call time on his Bundesliga career ahead of the upcoming campaign.

Barcelona have long been in pole position to sign Lewandowski, whose agent has held talks with representatives from the Catalan outfit.

But the fact that a deal has not yet been done has opened the door to potential rivals for his signature, a group which is thought to include Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain.

Robert Lewandowski

(Image credit: Getty)

Barcelona have been hamstrung by financial issues in the last couple of years, a situation which forced them to let Lionel Messi leave in 2021.

They have already completed the signings of Andreas Christensen and Franck Kessie this summer, with Raphinha set to follow.

But Barcelona are struggling to get the Lewandowski deal over the line, as they continue to haggle with Bayern over the transfer fee.

The Bundesliga champions are demanding £42m for the striker - and they want all the money to be paid upfront.

That is proving problematic for Barcelona, who would prefer the deal to include add-ons and bonuses.

Thomas Tuchel

(Image credit: Getty)

That potentially gives Chelsea the chance to leapfrog Barcelona in the race to sign a player who scored 50 goals for Bayern last time out.

The Blues would have little trouble raising the required funds for Lewandowski.

The big question mark is whether Thomas Tuchel wants the Poland international to be his team's main centre-forward in 2022/23.

Romelu Lukaku has been loaned back to Inter after his return to Chelsea ended in failure.

Tuchel's side have also been linked with Cristiano Ronaldo but are unlikely to submit an official offer for the Portuguese.

Greg Lea

Greg Lea is a freelance football journalist who's filled in wherever FourFourTwo needs him since 2014. He became a Crystal Palace fan after watching a 1-0 loss to Port Vale in 1998, and once got on the scoresheet in a primary school game against Wilfried Zaha's Whitehorse Manor (an own goal in an 8-0 defeat).

Read more
Enzo Maresca could be preparing to say goodbye to one forward this month
Chelsea top scorer wants exit to European giants: report
Enzo Maresca could be preparing to say goodbye to one forward this month
Chelsea to break the bank AGAIN with €180m Real Madrid duo now being eyed: report
Antony of Manchester United celebrates with teammates Bruno Fernandes and Alejandro Garnacho after scoring the team's second goal during the UEFA Europa League knockout round play-off leg two match between Manchester United and FC Barcelona at Old Trafford on February 23, 2023 in Manchester, England.
Bayern Munich make final decision on former Erik ten Hag favourite: report
Enzo Maresca could be preparing to say goodbye to one forward this month
Chelsea ponder yet another Brighton swoop in latest attempt to fix problem position: report
Aston Villa forward Jhon Duran is liked by Chelsea
Chelsea tipped to land Aston Villa's Jhon Duran - as Enzo Maresca wish comes true: report
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 30: Levi Colwill, Ben Chilwell and Noni Madueke of Chelsea interact during a pitch inspection prior to the Carabao Cup Fourth Round match between Newcastle United and Chelsea at St James' Park on October 30, 2024 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Ed Sykes/Getty Images)
Chelsea star demands exit to reunite with former manager: report
Latest in Stories
Fulham manager Marco Silva looks on from the dugout ahead of the FA Cup fourth round tie against Wigan Athletic at the Brick Community Stadium in Wigan, England on 8 February, 2025
'I think Marco Silva is the best manager in London - he managed to really maintain the desire to play attractive football, which was really hard over the years': Former Fulham talisman showers praise on 'impressive' Marco Silva
Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim looks on following his side's defeat against AFC Bournemouth
Report reveals 10 Manchester United players leaving this summer
Tottenham Hotspur back row (L-R) Dele Alli, Mousa Dembele, Eric Dier, Davinson Sanchez, Hugo Lloris, Jan Vertonghen; front row (L-R) Son Heung-min, Christian Eriksen, Harry Kane, Kieran Trippier, Ben Davies during the Champions League match against Juventus at the Wembley Stadium on March 7, 2018 in London United Kingdom
Tottenham cult hero calls retirement - to avoid 'painkiller dependency'
Thomas Tuchel will take charge of England for the very first time this evening
'He pushed us. It was tough love, but that's Thomas' Former player reveals that the new England manager will be HARD on his players
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola holds aloft the Premier League trophy at the Etihad in May 2023.
Quiz! Can you name every Premier League champion... in just 90 seconds?
LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 19: manager Ange Postecoglou of Tottenham Hotspur FC and Micky van de Venand Cristian Romero during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur FC and West Ham United FC at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on October 19, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images)
Tottenham star Cristian Romero 'willing to do everything' to LEAVE: report
Latest in News
Fulham manager Marco Silva looks on from the dugout ahead of the FA Cup fourth round tie against Wigan Athletic at the Brick Community Stadium in Wigan, England on 8 February, 2025
'I think Marco Silva is the best manager in London - he managed to really maintain the desire to play attractive football, which was really hard over the years': Former Fulham talisman showers praise on 'impressive' Marco Silva
Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim looks on following his side's defeat against AFC Bournemouth
Report reveals 10 Manchester United players leaving this summer
James Maddison of Tottenham Hotspur scores their 2nd goal during the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Tottenham Hotspur FC at Etihad Stadium on November 23, 2024 in Manchester, England.
Tottenham and Manchester City could smash transfer record for British wonderkid: report
Tottenham Hotspur back row (L-R) Dele Alli, Mousa Dembele, Eric Dier, Davinson Sanchez, Hugo Lloris, Jan Vertonghen; front row (L-R) Son Heung-min, Christian Eriksen, Harry Kane, Kieran Trippier, Ben Davies during the Champions League match against Juventus at the Wembley Stadium on March 7, 2018 in London United Kingdom
Tottenham cult hero calls retirement - to avoid 'painkiller dependency'
Thomas Tuchel will take charge of England for the very first time this evening
'He pushed us. It was tough love, but that's Thomas' Former player reveals that the new England manager will be HARD on his players
Arsenal squad for 2024/25 LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 11: William Saliba of Arsenal celebrates scoring his teams first goal with teammates during the Pre-Season Friendly match between Arsenal FC and Olympique Lyonnais at Emirates Stadium on August 11, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Arsenal warned, as Real Madrid are coming for their star next: report