According to Honorary President Uli Hoeneß, FC Barcelona does not need to make any further attempts to sign world footballer Robert Lewandowski from FC Bayern. “I don’t know anything about a new offer. But the way things are in Munich, which I’ve heard in several conversations, Barcelona can save themselves another offer,” said Hoeneß on the sidelines of the “Neuland” future congress on Wednesday in Aachen.
“I don’t decide that. But FC Bayern’s statements were clear. They say that Robert should fulfill the contract in Munich. I can’t imagine that there is an amount that would make us weak,” added the 70-year-old year olds added. The former manager and president did not want to say anything about Lewandowski’s behavior in officially forcing the potential change: “I would pour oil on the fire with that. FC Bayern has not commented on this and I don’t do that either.”
Hoeneß cannot imagine that Lewandowski would strike for the change: “I can’t imagine that he would provoke that. Robert is a sportsman. He always behaved immaculately. And I’m sure when the game is over, he will again be able to practice his profession in peace.” When asked how the heavily indebted Catalans could even make such an offer, Hoeneß said ironically: “They are apparently financial artists who, despite the high debt burden, can still find a bank that gives them money to do something like that.”
Hoeneß considers the movers and shakers in Barcelona to be “financial artists”
Various media had previously reported that FC Barcelona had increased their offer for Lewandowski to EUR 40 million and bonus payments of EUR 5 million. The contract of the 33-year-old Polish national player runs until June 30, 2023. The striker had repeatedly stated that he wanted to leave the German champions this year. The club managers around CEO Oliver Kahn had ruled out a transfer.
Meanwhile, Hoeneß raved about the new striker Sadio Mané, who FC Bayern signed from Liverpool. “You don’t do it to send out a signal. We do it to strengthen our team,” he said. “He’s a player that we’ve all always liked. When it became clear that there was something to be done, we were all thrilled. There isn’t anyone at FC Bayern who doesn’t like this transfer.”
Hoeneß also had a lot to say in other matters: After the recent rejection of a 50 + 1 abolition by Hans-Joachim Watzke, the former club boss of Munich distributed a swipe at the DFL supervisory board chairman. “Mr. Watzke is known for doing it wisely,” said Hoeneß. “Borussia Dortmund has already sold well over 50 percent, so he’s a big brake on this.”
Hoeneß had recently warned that the Bundesliga – with the exception of his club – would lose touch internationally under 50+1. Watzke, who is also the managing director of the listed Bayern rival Borussia Dortmund, then vehemently ruled out the rule being dissolved. This is “one hundred percent certain,” says Watzke. Now the FCB honorary president once again clarified his point of view in the debate. It’s “not about Bayern Munich and Dortmund at all,” but rather about “smaller clubs that would have more options when it comes to refinancing transfers or infrastructure without this clause.”
The record champion “wouldn’t use it at all because we have an agreement with our members that we can’t sell more than 30 percent without their consent,” said Hoeneß. The 1974 world champion asserted that he was “concerned about the whole league” because “it would be a good thing for them if they had more opportunities to refinance themselves.”