Robert Lewandowski wins FIFA best men's player 2020
Manchester United were surprisingly linked with Robert Lewandowski earlier in the week. The Bayern Munich star is one of the world’s best strikers but, at the age of 32, is eyeing one last new challenge. And he’s previously opened up on interest from the Red Devils, admitting he wanted to join during his time at Borussia Dortmund.
Sky in Germany claimed earlier in the week that several top clubs were circling for Lewandowski ahead of the summer transfer window.
And reporter Marc Behrenbeck threw United’s name into the ring, saying: "We can't name them exactly yet. We’re still doing research on that.
“But it is clear that the nine-man market is really hot in summer.
“Some top clubs are looking for a new striker. Starting with Manchester United.
“At Spurs it is not clear what will happen to Kane. Chelsea are not exactly satisfied with Tammy Abraham. Real actually want Mbappe, but also want to get a new nine. And FC Barcelona also want a new nine.”
And Lewandowski has previously spoken of interest from United, admitting he found it flattering.
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He was being eyed by Sir Alex Ferguson back in the summer transfer window of 2012 but, in the end, the Red Devils swooped for Robin van Persie instead.
And Lewandowski admitted in December last year that he’d been keen to join United, with Dortmund blocking a deal.
“After my second year in Dortmund, I had a conversation with Sir Alex Ferguson,” he told France Football.
“He wanted me to come to Manchester.
“I was very interested. I can even say I was ready. But Dortmund didn’t want to let me go. It didn’t upset me more than that because things were going well with Borussia.”
Lewandowski also added: “That was the first time I was thinking about the move because if you get a phone call from Sir Alex Ferguson, for a young player it was something amazing. That was a special day for me.”
Manchester United transfer news: Robert Lewandowski was wanted during Sir Alex Ferguson's reign (Image: GETTY)
And United have also been tipped to pursue the likes of Declan Rice and Raphael Varane, who have flourished at West Ham and Real Madrid respectively.
Meanwhile, speaking last year, Rene Meulensteen expressed a belief that United could do with a player of Lewandowski’s calibre.
They signed Edinson Cavani afterwards but, with the striker being linked with Boca Juniors, the Red Devils could be forced back to the drawing board.
And Meulensteen said: “The first thing that you talked about is they may have to go out and spend for a big striker.
"They've brought [Odion] Ighalo in, obviously a player that can help United in certain times and he's done actually very, very well.
Manchester United transfer news: Edinson Cavani could leave (Image: GETTY)
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"But if you look to the other players that have been there, [Marcus] Rashford, Martial, they're not really out-and-out strikers.
"Greenwood, young player coming up, same thing there. So there are a lot of chances and goals that can be created coming from the wide areas, Sancho is exactly the same player.
"What I think Manchester United is missing is a striker of the calibre of Lewandowski, somebody who is up there, can hold the line, can link play but when it comes to finishing chances in and outside the box, that sort of player and they are hard to come by.
"Is £50million with Sancho too much? For me I think you look at what United have in those wide areas, is that where you want to strengthen?
"I think if they need a player in that area then Sancho would be a really good one but yeah I don't know exactly."