Lewandowski Left Barcelona After Playing-Time Standoff, Agent Says

Overview

• Zahavi says Barcelona president Joan Laporta wanted Lewandowski to stay for another year and personally praised his contribution to the club.
• The agent reports that sporting director Deco and coach Hansi Flick would not guarantee Lewandowski a place in the starting eleven, prompting the player to consider other options.
• Zahavi says Lewandowski rejected a winter offer from Saudi clubs that he values at €100 million per season because playing time at Barcelona mattered more to him than money.
• According to Zahavi, the Saudi option later faded after Roshn-backed clubs changed spending policies and negotiations with Al-Ittihad and Qatari officials proved complicated.
• Lewandowski has since signed for Chicago Fire in MLS on what Zahavi describes as the league’s second-highest contract, reflecting MLS’s growing ability to attract established stars.