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Robert Lewandowski has revealed that he was in touch with Sir Alex Ferguson concerning a switch to Manchester United 12 years in the past.
Lewandowski, 34, just lately skilled Previous Trafford, however in Barcelona colors, throughout his aspect’s unsuccessful try to progress by way of to the Europa League spherical of 16.
The Poland worldwide developed into an elite degree ahead at Borussia Dortmund beneath the tutelage of now-Liverpool supervisor Jürgen Klopp earlier than shifting to Bundesliga rivals Bayern Munich, the place he cemented his standing as one of many biggest strikers on the planet.
He scored 103 and 344 targets for Dortmund and Bayern, respectively, leaving German soccer final summer season after Barcelona secured a €50million deal for Lewandowski’s providers.
Earlier than shifting to Dortmund – the place he received consecutive Bundesliga titles in 2010/11 and 2011/12 – Lewandowski was near becoming a member of Blackburn Rovers, however volcanic eruptions in Iceland precipitated air journey cancellations and thereby squashed Sam Allardyce’s hopes of the switch.
Chatting with Sport Bild, Lewandowski revealed that he was known as by the good Sir Alex Ferguson in an try to lure him away from Dortmund:
“I keep in mind the second precisely. We had a pleasant with Dortmund in preparation, I believe in opposition to Bochum. I used to be subbed at half-time.
“I checked out my cell phone within the dressing room. There was a textual content message with the sender +44. Ferguson had tried to name me after which despatched me a message. He wished to speak to me.
“I used to be nonetheless within the dressing room, I took a bathe and known as him again, in a quiet nook. My English wasn’t nearly as good as it’s right this moment. He has a robust Scottish accent. I used to be so targeted on understanding what he meant! Alex Ferguson tried to be thoughtful, spoke slowly.
“I used to be 22 years previous, it was a particular second. I spoke to Aki Watzke (Dortmund CEO) and Jürgen Klopp within the camp. I wished to go to Man United! However they stated: ‘No likelihood, Robert. We want you. It’s important to keep.’”
18 months after this cellphone name, Laurie Whitwell reported that Lewandowski was on the verge of agreeing a €5m yearly wage with United forward of a January 2013 switch.
Bild additionally alleged on the time that United had agreed an approximate €20m package deal with Dortmund.
The transfer, evidently and sadly, didn’t materialise.
