Bayern Munich were ‘celebrating’ after the Robert Lewandowski ’s transfer to Barcelona was confirmed on Saturday. An extraordinary report into the Poland international’s switch to the Camp Nou has revealed how the German champions were willing to allow the striker to leave without a transfer fee prior to the Catalan giants transfer interest arriving in May, resulting in a €60million (£51.9m) deal.
It is significantly more than Bayern paid to sign Sadio Mane this summer in a £35.1million agreement. The report in El Pais insists that the transfer fee totals €10million (£8.5m) more than what is being reported by the clubs due to a secret agreement.
Barca were said to have pledged the full amount of €60million if Bayern confirmed the figure at €50million, in order for the Blaugrana to receive favourable impact within the media.
The transfer fee is broken down as €45million in a lump sum upfront payment, with a further €5million should Barca qualify for the Champions League within a specified timeframe.