Bayern propose mother of swap deals: Cristiano Ronaldo for Robert Lewandowski

Bayern Munich have placed what would the mother of all swap deals on the table, suggesting that Manchester United might like to exchange Cristiano Ronaldo for Robert Lewandowski this summer. The Portugal captain is reportedly considering his options having become disillusioned with life at Old Trafford after returning the Premier League from Juventus, while the Poland striker has made his desire to leave the Allianz Arena before the start of the 2022-23 season very plain. Now it seems as though Bayern have alighted on a solution that may just suit all parties: sending Lewandowski to Old Trafford in exchange for the former Real Madrid star.

Lewandowski has long been linked with a move to Barcelona, but Bayern’s top brass have dug in their heels over the Poland international, who still has a year remaining on his contract. The German champions are not willing to let their star striker leave without finding a suitably prolific alternative, despite signing Sadio Mané from Liverpool. There is also a desire among the Bayern board to soften the blow of the club’s talisman leaving and, suffice to say, the arrival of Ronaldo would certainly cover that. According to reports, Ronaldo’s camp are aware of Bayern’s interest and open to talks.

Ronaldo considering United future

Ronaldo is said to be frustrated with United’s lack of activity in the transfer market after Manchester City landed Erling Haaland and Liverpool responded by breaking their club transfer record for Darwin Núñez. That has led Ronaldo to suspect he will not be adding to his haul of title with the Red Devils next season, something that Bayern can almost guarantee domestically. The Bavarians also arguably offer the next-best chance of adding to his five Champions Leagues beyond a return to the Bernabéu, which is an option that expired some time ago.

The financial details also seem to add up. Lewandowski is on a reported wage of €9 million at Bayern, and Ronaldo will probably be happy enough to accept something in that region to have a greater chance of winning more silverware. The Portuguese has one year left on his contract at Old Trafford and United may be willing to accept a fee now rather than lose him as a free agent next year as Erik ten Hag seeks funds to rebuild.

Lewandowski has previously linked with a move to the Premier League and it seems his exit route to Barcelona has become complicated by the Liga side’s well-documented financial woes, leaving a move to United open as perhaps his best option this summer. And if Bayern can land Ronaldo as part of that deal, it seems unlikely that the Allianz Arena suits will be as reluctant to let their star forward leave as they currently are.