Hamann cites Ronaldo's age as he questions merits of new Lewandowski contract before slamming Bayern's 'weak leadership'

Robert Lewandowski is seeing a summer transfer away from Bayern Munich speculated on and Dietmar Hamann is not convinced that the Polish striker should be offered a new contract in order to make him stay as 37-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo has shown at Manchester United that football “gets more difficult with age”.

The prolific Polish striker has plundered 339 goals through 368 appearances for the reigning German champions, with tallies of 40 or more registered in each of the last seven seasons.

He is showing no sign of slowing down, but is also 33 years of age and Hamann is not convinced that extending his deal at the Allianz Arena through to 2025 would be the best option for all concerned – with even all-time greats seeing their powers wane once they pass their mid-30s.

Former Bayern midfielder Hamann told GOAL and SPOX of extension talk in Bavaria: “There is no reason not to extend with [Manuel] Neuer or [Thomas] Muller.

“With Lewandowski you have to see whether he wants more than two years. Then of course you have to think about it. At the end of the contract he would be nearly 37. You can see with Ronaldo that it gets more difficult with age.”

The ex-Germany international added: “With Muller and Neuer I say, yes, extend them. But of course they can't earn more. You have to make sure that the contracts are made even more performance-related.

“If you have five to six players who earn 20 million euros, you have to claim that you get to the semi-finals in the Champions League. Of course you can be eliminated, but it's always about the process.”

If Robert Lewandowski leaves Bayern, where should he go?