Barcelona are reportedly planning to make an improved offer of €50m (£42m) for Bayern Munich centre-forward Robert Lewandowski in the near future.
The Catalan club's president Joan Laporta recently revealed that his side were in discussions with the Bundesliga champions over a possible deal for the Poland international.
"You know that we have made an offer for Lewandowski and we're waiting on Bayern's response. I want to thank the player for the effort he's made to come. They're evaluating the offer and we're waiting for the response," Laporta told reporters.
Bayern are believed to have rejected the latest offer, thought to be in the region of €40m (£33.8m), but according to SPORT1, Xavi's team are now preparing a new bid of €50m (£42m).
The report claims that 'there will not be a quick solution', but Barcelona remain confident that they will be able to reach an agreement over the 33-year-old in the near future.
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Lewandowski's contract at Allianz Arena is due to expire next June, and he recently made it clear that he wants to leave Bayern during this summer's transfer window in search of pastures new.
"My era at Bayern is over. I don't see any possibility to continue playing for this club anymore. Bayern's a serious club and I believe they won't keep me, I don't want to play there anymore. A transfer is the best solution. I hope they don't stop me," Lewandowski recently told reporters.
The striker was again in excellent form for Bayern during the 2021-22 campaign, scoring 50 goals and registering seven assists in 46 appearances in all competitions, as the Munich giants won the Bundesliga title.
Meanwhile, the Poland international has scored 344 goals and registered 72 assists in 374 appearances for Bayern since making the move from Borussia Dortmund in 2014.
Lewandowski is said to be keen on a fresh challenge at this stage of his career, though, and wants to join Barcelona despite interest from the likes of Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester United.
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Bayern sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic recently told Bild: "Our position is clear: Robert has a contract until the summer of 2023. New bid from Barcelona? I'm not thinking about that. I'm expecting to see Robert in training at Sabener Straße on July 12."
However, behind the scenes, the German champions are thought to be preparing for Lewandowski's departure by putting together a shortlist of potential replacements.
Napoli's Victor Osimhen would allegedly be a target for the club if Lewandowski were to depart, while Tottenham Hotspur centre-forward Harry Kane is believed to be on their radar.
However, a recent report claimed that Spurs have no interest in selling Kane this summer and would not be prepared to enter into any discussions over the England captain.
Barcelona are also believed to be pressing ahead with a big-money move for Leeds United's Raphinha despite their financial problems, while a new deal for Ousmane Dembele is believed to be imminent.
Matt Law
