Robert Lewandowski's Agent Reacts to Manchester United 'Plan B' Transfer Rumours

The agent for Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski has denied reports linking Manchester United with a potential summer move for the player. 

According to a report from Miguel Delaney of The Independent, United have made Lewandowski a transfer target along with Monaco starlet Kylian Mbappe due to how complicated a potential deal for Atletico Madrid forward Antoine Griezmann would be. 

However, Lewandowski’s representative, Maik Barthel, has dismissed the speculation. "Does any top player in the world want to be a plan B?" he said to Stephan Uersfeld of ESPN.co.uk, who added that Barthel ruled out the prospect of any switch.

Delaney’s piece suggested that United are looking to strengthen their options in the final third at the end of the season, and Lewandowski appeals to the Red Devils due to his reputation as one of the very best centre-forwards in the world.

Here’s a look at how the Poland international compares statistically to Griezmann and United man Zlatan Ibrahimovic in league matches this season:

	Lewandowski	Griezmann	Ibrahimovic
Apps (Sub)	21 (2)	25	25
Goals	19	12	15
Assists	2	6	4
Shots per game	3.9	2.6	4.4
Key passes per game	0.8	1.5	1.8
Dribbles per game	1.1	0.8	0.6

Even if United were interested in signing the 28-year-old, that’d be no guarantee of a deal being done.

Not only did Lewandowski agree a new long-term contract at the Allianz Arena earlier in the season, but Bayern are one of the biggest clubs in world football. As such, they possess the financial might to resist any offers from United for their No. 9.

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Granted, United did lure Paul Pogba away from Juventus ahead of the current campaign for a world-record fee, showing that Old Trafford is still a tantalising prospect for players despite a lack of UEFA Champions League football. But getting Lewandowski would be an even bigger coup.

These figures from Squawka Football sum up just how consistent the forward has been in front of goal during his time in the Bundesliga:

Sports writer Cristian Nyari recently found it difficult to describe just how good the Bayern man is at the moment:

According to Delaney, Atletico are ready to dig their heels in and resist any move for Griezmann from United. It’s stated that the player has agreed personal terms with the Old Trafford club, but with the La Liga side starting a new era at a new stadium in 2016-17, they want to keep their star man around.

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Meanwhile, Mbappe has emerged as one of the most exciting young players in world football this season. The 18-year-old has been part of a thrilling Monaco attack this season, netting 15 times in 29 appearances. Here’s a look at why there’s so much excitement surrounding him:

Delaney suggested that whether it be Lewandowski, Griezmann or Mbappe, the Red Devils should look to make a statement acquisition in the summer:

Barthel’s assessment of the situation is understandable. After all, Lewandowski is currently the main man at one of the world’s biggest football clubs, scoring goals with remarkable consistency and challenging for the biggest prizes in the game. The merits of moving elsewhere, especially as a possible contingency plan, are tough to justify.

With 35-year-old Ibrahimovic in the twilight of his career, Mourinho does need to think about how he’ll restructure his forward line in seasons to come. Lewandowski, however, is player beyond United’s pulling power as things stand.