CHELSEA have received a massive boost to their hopes of signing Robert Lewandowski after it was revealed Barcelona cannot sign him.
Barcelona have long been the rumoured destination of Lewandowski, who confirmed he would not sign a new deal with Bayern Munich ahead of its expiry next season.
But the President of the Spanish Football Association, Javier Tebas, has revealed Barcelona’s financial problems mean they cannot currently sign the Poland international.
As reported by Mundo Deportivo, he said: “Barça, today, cannot sign him.
“Barcelona know what they have to do. He (Barcelona president Joan Laporta) knows perfectly our rules of economic control and his financial situation.
“The rules are to avoid major economic problems in the entities. I do not know if he will sell De Jong, Pedri or Pepito Pérez. He knows what he has to do, sell assets and earn more.”
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Barcelona’s economic vice-president Eduard Romeu compounded the Spanish giants’ critical situation, revealing the club needs half a BILLION Euros to save itself.
The club’s financial woes came to a head last season when they were unable to re-sign superstar Lionel Messi due to being in breach of LaLiga wage rules.
Lewandowski, 33, could leave German champions Bayern for as little as £20million, if the striker triggers a loophole in Article 17 of Fifa’s regulations which would allow him to buy out his own contract.
The prospect of landing such a huge talent for a cut price fee would normally be music to the ears of Barca boss Xavi, but Tebas’ revelation suggests the Nou Camp giants will be unable to take advantage of the situation.
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This gives Chelsea a clean run at Lewandowski, who scored 50 goals in 46 games for Bayern last season.
The prolific Pole won ‘The Best FIFA Men’s Player’ award in 2020 and 2021.
His credentials as a transfer target speak for themselves, and with reports indicating Chelsea could allow £100million flop Romelu Lukaku to return to Inter Milan, The Blues will have a vacancy to fill.
While Chelsea will no doubt be bolstered by the news of Barca’s financial woe, Barcelona club president Laporta remains defiant.
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He said: “Given the statements by the president of the League saying that we cannot sign a player, I would like to remind him that his duties are to watch over the Professional Football League and the clubs.
“So I ask that you refrain from commenting on whether or not we can sign a certain player, because that clearly harms the interests of FC Barcelona.”
