Robert Lewandowski has rejected an offer from Chelsea with his heart set on a transfer move to Barcelona.
The 33-year-old is set to leave Bayern this summer after failing to agree a new contract with the German giants – with just 12 months left on his current contract.
Chelsea are currently in discussions with Inter Milan over a move that will see Romelu Lukaku return to Italy after just one campaign back in the Premier League.
The Blues are prepared to approve Lukaku’s exit with reports claiming that Lewandowski is Tuchel’s first choice replacement.
Tuchel is a huge admirer of the Poland international and while he will turn 34 in the month of August, believes he can still thrive in the Premier League.
But while Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain have both made offers, Lewandowski will choose a move to the Camp Nou, according to SPORT report.
Barcelona will have to pay €40m to sign the striker with the Catalan club under extreme financial pressure that has left them unable to register to new signings, Andreas Christensen and Franck Kessie.
But a major development at the Spanish club looks set to alleviate that pressure and allow Xavi to make the necessary changes to his team this summer.
Over the past 24 hours, Barcelona’s members have voted in favour of the sale of future merchandising and television rights.
The successful vote gives club president Joan Laporta and his directors the go ahead to sell 49.9% of the club’s Barca Licensing and Merchandising (BLM) subsidiary and 25% of its La Liga television rights revenues over the coming years. Both were passed by huge majorities — 88% for BLM and 84% for TV revenues.
Reports claim the moves could bring in close to £600m which will be used to offset the club’s debt – which stands at over £1billion – and improve the playing squad this summer.
