Robert Lewandowski: Which Clubs Could Still Land the Dortmund Striker

Just when you thought Robert Lewandowski to Bayern Munich was an all-but-done deal, Borussia Dortmund nix the move.

As one of the most talked-about players of the 2012/13 season, Lewandowski was believed to be joining the Champions League-winning side.

His agent Cezary Kucharski even told Polish TV station TVN24 (via Skysports.com):

"

"Yes. Robert will join Bayern this summer.

There is no point in pretending that he will not move to Bayern. Robert wants to leave and that is what will happen."

"

It doesn’t get more convincing than that.

Lewandowski’s name started to disappear from daily transfer talk, with his future already thought to be sewn up.

But when Dortmund came out this week and quashed any suggestion that their star striker would be joining Bayern, the 24-year-old has regained his place as one of the biggest names in the rumour mill.

Let the speculation commence.

We might see Lewandowski back in the black and yellow of Dortmund next season, running down the last year of his contract.

But, if the striker’s wishes “for a new challenge” come true, as told to Sport Bild (via espn.co.uk), then perhaps he could still be on the move.

We look at potential summer destinations for Lewandowski over the next seven slides.

Believable? Crazy? Downright impossible? Let us know what you think of the rumours in the comment section below.

Follow me on Twitter: @Greene_L

Juventus

Robert Lewandowski has been linked with Juventus since January.

The striker's agent Cezary Kucharski made coy remarks on skysports.com at the time, linking his client to the Serie A champions.

"

"Could Robert sign for Juventus?

Anything is possible. But I don't want to say anything at this time."

"

Goal.com also featured a report which appeared to suggest that Juventus had made contact with Borussia Dortmund during the winter transfer period.

It’s been well documented that Juve are in the market for a new striker, with Real Madrid branding the club's €30 million offer for Gonzalo Higuain as “a waste of time,” as reported on Goal.com.

With Lewandowski’s fee thought to be in the region of €25-30 million, perhaps the Old Lady will set their sights on him instead.

Tottenham Hotspur

Apparently, Tottenham Hotspur could have signed Robert Lewandowski for £5 million before he joined Borussia Dortmund.

Former Spurs striker Steve Archibald made the claim on Twitter:

"

Just a note of interest for Spurs fans, I offered Robert lewandowski to Spurs when he was stll playing in Poland, for less than 5m, pity !

— Steve Archibald (@SteveArchibald8) April 24, 2013"

Tottenham are once again in the market for a striker and Lewandowski could be a realistic target for the North London club, who have been linked with him since summer 2012, as reported here in the Daily Mail. 

Spurs could be keen to step up their interest in the 24-year-old, especially if Gareth Bale gets a big-money move to Real Madrid.

With Emmanuel Adebayor and Jermain Defoe, who are aged 29 and 30 respectively, Lewandowski would be a sound investment for the future and, importantly, wouldn’t break the bank. 

Arsenal

Arsenal have been linked with a move for Lewandowski in the Express and the Independent.

He could prove to be a shrewd buy for the North London outfit, who sold Robin van Persie to Manchester United for £24 million when he was aged 29. Lewandowski is 24 and has an asking price of £25 million.

Both strikers scored 30 or more goals in all competitions for their club in 2012/13.

While the Gunners are still finding the back of the net, they could benefit from a talismanic forward in the Lewandowski mold.

Whether the Dortmund striker could play alongside Olivier Giroud in a team known for its 4-2-3-1 formation is up for debate, but the two strikers have the potential for forming a deadly partnership when Giroud finally beds into the side.

If Arsenal manage to sign Lewandowski, it would be a big statement of intent and could see them challenging for Premier League honours once more.

Chelsea

If reports in the Daily Mail are to be believed, Jose Mourinho has been texting Robert Lewandowski to persuade him to come to Chelsea.

Based on an article which was initially published in Bild, John Drayton’s piece claimed that the Blues manager has been trying to tempt the striker to join him at Stamford Bridge. 

The Sun also claimed this week that Chelsea were still interested in acquiring the Poland international after Dortmund spurned his move to Bayern Munich.

Lewandowski could be a strong signing for Chelsea, who are rumoured to be offloading Fernando Torres over the summer months, as reported in The Sun.

Real Madrid

After scoring four goals against Real Madrid in a Champions League semi-final, it’s unsurprising that the La Liga side are fans of Lewandowski.

Madrid have yet to unveil their new manager, but the club are rumoured to be selling striker Gonzalo Higuain, reported on by skysports.com. 

Madrid will be in the market for a new front-man and they have been linked with Lewandowski in the past, as seen in Mark Ogden’s Telegraph report in May. 

Money is never really an issue for Los Blancos, who will be keen to make a big signing in the wake of Barcelona’s capture of Neymar.

Manchester City

A £25 million striker is but a drop in the ocean for wealthy Manchester City.

The Premier League side have been linked with a host of big-names; from Radamel Falcao, to Edinson Cavani, to Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

And several current Citizens seem destined for the exit door, according to a report by Paul Collins in the Daily Mail, published earlier this year. 

It's been suggested that Borussia Dortmund are interested in signing Edin Dzeko from City, as reported here on espn.co.uk, which could help in negotiations for Lewandowski's signature.

City have also been linked with a £50 million "double move" for Lewandowski and Madrid's Higuain in the Daily Mail.

Goal.com have suggested that Lewandowski could turn into City's primary target, should they fail in their bid to sign Napoli striker Edinson Cavani.

Manchester United

According to various reports published this week, Manchester United are leading the race to sign Robert Lewandowski.

The Telegraph claims that the Old Trafford side have been given “the green light” to pursue the 24-year-old.

Meanwhile the Daily Mail declares that Lewandowski has expressed an interest in joining the 2012/13 Premier League champions. 

Elsewhere, skysports.com reports that bookmakers have made Manchester United “favourites” to sign the striker. 

However, David Anderson, of the Mirror, suggests that Dortmund have tripled Lewandowski’s wages in a bid to keep him at the club for the remaining year of his contract.

If Lewandowski did sign for Manchester United, it would cause a selection headache for new Old Trafford manager David Moyes, who already has Robin van Persie, Danny Welbeck and Javier Hernandez at his disposal.

Wayne Rooney may also be convinced to stay, despite handing in a transfer request last month, as seen on espnfc.com.

A glut of top-drawer strikers may make the selection process tricky but, from United’s perspective, it's not a bad problem to have.