Former Bayern Munich CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has branded Robert Lewandowski "irreplaceable" for the club, urging them to keep hold of the striker at all costs this summer.
The 33-year-old was again in excellent form for his German outfit during the 2021-22 campaign, scoring 50 goals and contributing seven assists in 46 appearances in all competitions.
Lewandowski's contract at Allianz Arena is due to expire next June, though, and he has informed the club that he wants to seek pastures new in the upcoming market.
Barcelona are said to be the favourites for the Poland international, with the Catalan outfit working to bring him to the club ahead of the 2022-23 season.
However, Rummenigge, who left his role at Bayern last summer, has said that the German champions cannot afford to allow the centre-forward to move on.
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"I can't imagine that you can currently win more with FC Barcelona than with Bayern Munich," Rummenigge told Bild. "What more can Barcelona offer at the moment? I can't think of anything, if I'm honest.
"Robert is irreplaceable for FC Bayern. You need a player like that, even if he's about to turn 34. That's a goal guarantee that doesn't exist anywhere in Europe. Robert is top class!
"You have to pray that Robert stays, he is the absolute attraction of the league. You have to fight for it, talk to him and cuddle with the advisor. You have to include him in the inner workings of the club."
During a recent interview with Sky Deutschland, Lewandowski said: "The time will come to give information. Soon it will be possible to say more."
According to Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, Lewandowski has a three-year offer on the table from Barcelona, although the Catalan outfit still need to agree a transfer fee with Bayern.
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"For Robert Lewandowski, FC Bayern is history. Robert wants to leave FC Bayern after eight years in which he gave the club everything," the striker's agent Pini Zahavi told Bild.
"Now, at almost 34, he has the opportunity to fulfill a lifetime dream and join the club he always dreamed of. Why is FC Bayern denying him this opportunity?
"For Robert, the matter is very clear: he wants to leave FC Bayern this summer. Nobody cares about money here, neither Robert nor me. He hasn't felt respected by the people in charge for months, that's the truth. FC Bayern didn't lose the player Lewandowski, but the person Robert."
The forward has spent the last eight years with Bayern, arriving at the club from Borussia Dortmund in July 2014.
Lewandowski has scored 344 goals and registered 72 assists in 374 appearances for his current side in all competitions, winning eight Bundesliga titles, three German Cups and the Champions League.
A number of Premier League clubs have also been linked with the forward this summer, but Barcelona are the clear favourites to secure his signature in the upcoming market.
Matt Law
