FC Bayern – Mane, Lukaku and their teammates: These seven candidates are possible successors to Robert Lewandowski

Only: Lewandowski is currently unenthusiastic and normal.

The 33-year-old is making headlines with a possible move to FC Barcelona. The question of whether he will honor his contract, which runs until June 30, 2023, or whether he will leave Munich this summer, is hotly debated in the media and among fans.

As can be expected in such a mixed situation, there is already a lively discussion about a possible successor to the exceptional striker. Big names are making the rounds.

Eurosport.de offers candidates:

The Smart Deal: Patrick Schick

Imagine for a moment that Patrik Schick was at Sappinerstrasse for an interview and he had to explain why Bayern Munich should hire him. Schek took a deep breath and listed his qualifications: 24 goals this season in 26 league games for Bayer Leverkusen, 17 goals in 33 games for the Czech Republic, strong appearance at 1.91 metres, Best Player at the age of 26, winner of the EM Silver Boot 2021, Player of the Month in German Bundesliga in December of the same year.

Bayern sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic was putting the poker face on the other side of the table and, after actual hesitation, announced that he would be in touch. With the full knowledge that the job has just been assigned. Admittedly, that’s not the way things work in football – but there’s no doubt that Schick has excellent references. The Bayer professional, who is still under contract with Leverkusen until June 30, 2025, said he will follow the biggest footsteps in world football at Bayern Munich.

“For me there is no one better in the world,” an enthusiastic Sheek said of Lewandowski in March. “He’s always exactly where he needs to be. His fantastic shot security, his movements in the penalty area, his relationship with his teammates. It’s unbelievable how he’s performing week in and week out.” But Chic should be clear that this is also expected of him if he does end up in Munich.

• Estimated fee: 40 million euros

Logical Transfer: Christopher Nkunko

Julian Nagelsmann loves to keep tabs on everything, and is considered detail-oriented and very analytical. A move from Christopher Nkunko would be feasible because the Bayern coach knows the Frenchman very well. It was Nagelsmann who made his Bundesliga debut in the 2019/2020 season at RB Leipzig. The 24-year-old is now in his third year with the Saxons. There are 20 league goals to his name, plus Nkunko has scored seven times in the Champions League and six times in the Europa League.

Moving to Munich would make sense, at least at first glance. Because: Nkunku is not an attacking center like Lewandowski, but it can be used in a more versatile way. RB Leipzig coach Jesse Marsh has used France international in six attacking positions this season alone – but only three times as a classic central striker. The 24-year-old is contractually committed to the Saxons until June 30, 2024.

• Estimated fees: 65 to 70 million euros

The big one: Romelu Lukaku

Romelu Lukaku’s replacement will be the grip on the top shelf, and Bayern will have to stand on their toes financially and possibly jump a bit to get there. Not necessarily to be expected. Those responsible for themselves rarely allow the transition to high-risk cash transactions. on one hand.

On the other hand, Munich threatens to lose international contact if you don’t do your best when Lewandowski leaves. It was already evident in this Champions League quarter-final against FC Villarreal that Bayern had lost their dread in Europe.

With Lukaku, the German record champion sent a signal that they had a real world-renowned striker on the team once again. The 29-year-old Belgian’s class is undisputed, even if things don’t go well this season at Chelsea, where he remains under contract until 2026. But the chubby striker is in all water, having spent nine years in the Premier League and two seasons in Inter Milan in the Italian Serie A.

• Estimated fees: 85 to 90 million euros

Old friend: Sebastian Haller

Sebastian Haller overcame opponents in the German Bundesliga, DFB Cup (2018 title) and Europa League (2018/2019 semi-finals) as part of the “Buffalo Herd” in Frankfurt. The Ivorian eventually ended up at Ajax Amsterdam via West Ham United, where he thrived after a tough few years in the Premier League. He is the top scorer with 21 goals and has been a champion with Ajax since last weekend. Will Haller return to the Bundesliga now?

Especially since he denied the rumor that he was attracted to Manchester United, like Ajax coach Eric Ten Hag. “I will not follow him,” said Haller, who is officially linked to Amsterdam until 2025. It is doubtful whether the national player, who has not been able to establish himself at West Ham in England, has the right collar size for Bayern.

• Estimated fee: 30 to 35 million euros

German Football Association candidate: Timo Werner

Yes, why not Timo Werner? Lightning fast forward center can also come from left or right. 26 years old, experienced, German international. W: Not necessarily eager to fulfill his contract with Chelsea until 2025. However: in the currency that interests the strikers, Werner has been short of cash for a long time. Al-Swabian has scored a total of four goals in 21 Premier League matches this season.

Werner is having a tough time in London and is frequently criticized for his low goal score. The former FB and Leipzig professional has proven that he can do better in the national team. Six goals from the past seven games speak a different language than England’s record. But is that enough to convince Bayern?

• Estimated fee: 50 million euros

The Big Solution: Sadio Mane

But it is also clear that Mane does not want to leave Liverpool at all. “I try to enjoy every moment, scoring goals and helping my teammates,” the 30-year-old told Sky Sports UK during the week. He was “very, very happy” at Liverpool. In addition, the Munich team should consider that the Senegalese is not a classic striker and has his strengths on the left wing. However: Mane’s contract expires in June 2023, and the future is open.

• Estimated fee: 80 million euros

Perspective attacker: Darwin Nunez

It would be very surprising for Darwin Nunez to fulfill his contract with Benfica until 2025. The 22-year-old Uruguayan has scored 26 goals in 28 matches despite the poor championship for the traditional Lisbon club. In the Champions League, Nunez was a key figure in the surprising quarter-final with six goals. There are failures of the Portuguese 1: 3 and 3: 3 in Liverpool, but the attacking talent entered the list of scorers in both matches. In short: the man drew attention to himself.

It seems unlikely that Bayern will hand the responsibility for Lewandowski’s successor to a 22-year-old with little experience. But Núñez could be an option when it comes to a perspective striker brought to Säbener Straße as well as a well-known striker.

• Estimated fee: 40 million euros