Real Madrid Transfers: A better explanation for the constant Robert Lewandowski rumors

Real Madrid have one of the best players in the world. In fact, striker Karim Benzema has been unequivocally the best player on the planet in 2021-2022 thus far. Coming into the October break, he led all players in Europe’s top five leagues in both goals and assists, despite having an xG half that of one of the players tied with him in goals, Robert Lewandowski.

It seems as if the careers of Lewandowski and Benzema will always be intertwined. They are two of the greatest strikers of this generation and in the history of football. They are different players but are both clinical, technical, and athletic. They age, as the saying goes, like wine. They are currently heated competitors for the Ballon d’Or. And maybe most interestingly, they have been linked on the transfer market.

For years, Lewandowski has been connected with Madrid. A few years ago, it seemed as if Florentino Perez would try to replace Benzema with the man now regarded as the greatest player ever produced by the German Bundesliga. Benzema proved irreplaceable, unselfishly stepping up to play his role in the unprecedented Real Madrid three-peat. And now, firmly outside the massive shadow of Cristiano Ronaldo, he has reached new heights still, even as he closes in on the age of 34.

Yet despite Benzema’s incredible success and Lewandowski’s own inestimable value as the 41-goal striker who broke Gerd Muller’s seemingly unbreakable record, the rumors linking the Polish No. 9 to Los Blancos are unceasing.

Does Robert Lewandowski want Real Madrid over Bayern?

The latest comes from Marco Ruiz of AS, who goes as far as to say that Lewandowski prefers Real Madrid to Bayern Munich. He would apparently have Madrid atop his list among any club in Europe and would even, just like Eduardo Camavinga this summer, take a lower salary to play for them. With his contract ending at the end of the 2022-2023 season, Lewandowski is reportedly expected to request a transfer and a new challenge at the end of the Bundesliga season.

We know Lewandowski has dreamed of a move to Madrid in the past, but the ship sailed because of Benzema’s own enduring excellence. A desire for a new challenge would also be understandable. Like Raphael Varane, Lewandowski may want to increase his profile by proving himself in another league, having accomplished all there is to accomplish in the Bundesliga. David Alaba did the same, of course, stepping out of his comfort zone to join Real Madrid. And it did not hurt to earn more money in the process!

Lewandowski and Bayern, though, are still negotiating. As interesting as it would be to see Lewa in Madrid, would he really make such a risky jump at this point in his career? His legacy with Bayern is already solidified, but it could still be added to. And would Bayern really be prepared to let him walk away? Perhaps for Erling Haaland, but what if Haaland himself goes to another league? Manchester City certainly look like an attractive spot for him, and both Real Madrid and Manchester United can conceivably offer higher wages than Bayern. That’s not even factoring in PSG, as hard as it is to envision him there.

It honestly seems like the Lewandowski rumors are a leverage ploy to get Bayern to offer a veteran player on an expiring contract the market value of his wages. Bayern did not pay the proper fee for Thiago or Alaba, and thus they left for Liverpool and Madrid, respectively. I wonder if Lewandowski’s agent, who also represents Alaba, is making a well-placed move to force the issue on Bayern. The idea that his client would play for Madrid for less is a believable threat of sorts, because there is that appeal of Los Blancos coupled with Lewa’s past links to the club.

Real Madrid have little reason to go after Robert Lewandowski

But would Real move for him? They already have a veteran striker who fits the club’s ethos and playing style perfectly. If you ask Madrid players, officials, and fans, they would surely take Benz over Lewa. The idea of co-existing is an interesting one, but wouldn’t Real rather try their hand at a one-two punch with a younger striker? If not Luka Jovic, then why go for Lewandowski? And if they do want to bring in another striker, someone with a  more long-term fit like Haaland would make more sense.

We cannot rule anything out. Lewandowski wanting to move to Real Madrid is believable. Real Madrid looking for a free market opportunity is also believable, given the signing of Lewa’s ex-teammate and Bayern icon, in addition to the myriad of links to 2022 summer free agents.

But this still feels more like gamesmanship and a strategy from Lewa’s representation to get Bayern to do the right thing and pay one of their biggest club legends and the Bundesliga’s GOAT his worth. Hence why they seem to be working so hard to create options in the press, just to add that little bit of urgency when it does come time to put all the chips on the table. It’s so difficult to envision Bayern letting Lewandowski walk.

As far as Real Madrid is concerned, Lewandowski will always be a “What if?”. But thanks to Benzema, it’s a two-word question filled without the slightest tinge of regret.