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Manchester United and Chelsea to miss out on Bayern Munich-bound Robert Lewandowski
BORUSSIA DORTMUND appear to have changed their stance on coveted striker Robert Lewandowski's move to German rivals Bayern Munich - much to the displeasure of his Premier League admirers.
Both Manchester United and Chelsea had been heavily linked with Lewandowski in recent weeks, as the Pole superseded Falcao as the must-have forward in the summer transfer market.
Lewandowski has always looked more likely to join Bayern than complete a switch to England - going on quotes from the player's agent - but it was thought that after Dortmund lost talented playmaker Mario Gotze to the Bundesliga winners for around £32m they would put the blockers on another move to split up their impressive squad.
As reported on Tuesday, Bayern have a deadline of next Wednesday to sign Lewandowski, and it now appears that Dortmund will ease off their fight to hold on to the 24-year-old, who is out of contract next season.
Incoming United manager David Moyes was considering Lewandowski as a replacement for the want-away Wayne Rooney, but he may have to identify other options in light of these developments.
Chelsea seem destined to appoint Real Madrid manager Jose Mourino this summer, and while that move has yet to be ratified speculation has suggested he could bring Lewandowski to Stamford Bridge with him.
And the player couldn't hide his admiration for 'The Special One', recently telling German sports paper Bild: "He's a good coach, and it's a great honour for me to be noticed by him."
However, Mourinho's late bid for the former Lech Poznan forward may fall flat, with Bayern close to tying up his signature having already agreed terms with Lewandowski in principle.
While the two top Spanish clubs have been notoriously quiet with regards to Real Madrid's Champions League conqueror, the capital outfit have reportedly made contact with Lewandowski.
Bild have revealed that Real's president Florentino Perez held a 10-minute secret meeting with the Dortmund number nine at the Bernabeu last week.