FC Bayern – Mané, Lukaku and Co.: These seven candidates are potential successors to Robert Lewandowski

Julian Nagelsmann tried to present the situation calmly. Robert Lewandowski was “quite normal in my plans,” assured the Bayern coach. The attacker “trained very well” and is in the Bundesliga final in Wolfsburg (Saturday from 3:30 p.m. in the live ticker at Eurosport.de) in the starting XI.

Only: Lewandowski is currently unexcited and normal.

The 33-year-old makes the headlines with his possible transfer to FC Barcelona. The question of whether he will fulfill 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.

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Media: Lewandowski only once for Bayern

ONE DAY AGO

As is to be expected in such a mixed situation, there is already lively discussion about a potential successor for the exceptional striker. Illustrious names are doing the rounds.

Eurosport.de presents the candidates:

The smart deal: Patrik Schick

Imagine for a moment that Patrik Schick was at Säbener Strasse for an interview and had to explain why FC Bayern should hire him. Schick would take a deep breath and list his qualifications: 24 goals this season in 26 league games for Bayer Leverkusen, 17 goals in 33 games for the Czech Republic, robust appearance at a height of 1.91 m, best footballer age at 26, winner of the silver shoe the EM 2021, Bundesliga Player of the Month in December of the same year.

Patrick Schick from Bayer Leverkusen

Fotocredit: Getty Images

Bayern sports director Hasan Salihamidzic would put on a poker face on the other side of the table and, after effective hesitation, announce that they would be in touch. Knowing full well that the job has just been assigned. Admittedly, that’s not how it works in the football business – but there’s no question that Schick has excellent references. The Bayer professional, who is still under contract in Leverkusen until June 30, 2025, says he would be following in the biggest footsteps in world football at Bayern.

“For me there is no one better in the world,” Schick enthused about Lewandowski in March. “He’s always exactly where he needs to be. His fantastic security in the shot, his movements in the penalty area, his connection to his teammates. It’s just incredible how he performs and delivers week after week.” But Schick must be clear that this is also expected of him if he actually ends up in Munich.

Estimated fee: 40 million euros

The logical transfer: Christopher Nkunku

Julian Nagelsmann likes to keep an eye on everything, is considered obsessed with detail and extremely analytical. A transfer from Christopher Nkunku would be practical in that the Bayern coach knows the French very well. It was Nagelsmann under whom Nkunku made his debut in the German football league 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 Nkunku has scored seven times in the Champions League and six times in the Europa League.

Currently shining in the RB Leipzig jersey: Christopher Nkunku

Fotocredit: Getty Images

A transfer to Munich would only be logical, at least at first glance. Because: Nkunku is not as much a center forward as Lewandowski, but can be used more variably. Leipzig coach Jesse Marsch has used the French international in six offensive positions this season alone – but only three times as a classic central attacker. The 24-year-old is contractually bound to the Saxons until June 30, 2024.

Estimated fee: 65 to 70 million euros

Der Brocken: Romelu Lukaku

The Romelu Lukaku variant would be the grip on the top shelf, Bayern would have to stand on their toes financially and maybe even jump a little to get there. Is not necessarily to be expected. Those responsible only rarely allow themselves to be carried away to monetary high-risk transactions. On the one hand.

Romelu Lukaku

Fotocredit: Getty Images

On the other hand, Munich threatens to lose touch internationally if you don’t go all out when Lewandowski leaves. It was already clear in this Champions League season in the quarter-finals against FC Villarreal that FCB had lost its terror in Europe.

With Lukaku, the German record champions would send a sign that they had a real center forward of world renown in the squad again. The class of the 29-year-old Belgian is undisputed, even if things are not going well this season at Chelsea, where he is still under contract until 2026. But the beefy attacker is washed with all waters, steeled by nine years in the Premier League and two seasons at Inter Milan in Serie A.

Estimated fee: 85 to 90 million euros

The old friend: Sébastien Haller

Sébastien Haller once rolled down opponents in the Bundesliga, DFB Cup (title 2018) and Europa League (semi-finals 2018/2019) as part of the Frankfurt “buffalo herd”. The Ivorian eventually ended up at Ajax Amsterdam via West Ham United, where he thrived after a difficult few years in the Premier League. He leads the top scorer list with 21 goals and has been champions with Ajax since last weekend. Will Haller return to the Bundesliga now?

Sebastien Haller (centre) at Ajax Amsterdam

Fotocredit: Image

Conceivable. In addition to Bayern, the offensive star will also be there Borussia Dortmund in connection brought. Physically robust and 1.90m tall, the 27-year-old would be an option for central up front for both clubs.

Especially since he denied the rumor that he was drawn to Manchester United like Ajax coach Erik ten Hag. “I will not follow him,” affirmed Haller, who is officially tied to Amsterdam until 2025. It is questionable whether the national player, who was unable to establish himself at West Ham in England, has the right collar size for Bayern.

Estimated fee: 30 to 35 million euros

The DFB candidate: Timo Werner

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

Timo Werner

Fotocredit: Getty Images

Werner has a difficult time in London and is repeatedly criticized for his low goal rate. The former VfB and Leipzig professional proved that he can do better in the national team. Six goals from the past seven games speak a different language than the record in England. But is that enough to convince Bayern?

Estimated fee: 50 million euros

The big solution: Sadio Mané

It would be a stroke of genius if Bayern managed to pry one of the superstars off Liverpool’s offensive line. Sadio Mané, who is in the final of the Champions League with the Reds and can still manage the historic quadruple, would be no different. And yet, a few days ago, the rumor made the rounds that Bayern have their feelers towards Anfield stretched out. True to the motto: Think big!

Jürgen Klopp (l.) And Sadio Mané

Fotocredit: Getty Images

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

Estimated fee: 80 million euros

The perspective striker: Darwin Núñez

It would be very surprising if Darwin Núñez fulfilled his contract with Benfica until 2025. The 22-year-old from Uruguay scored 26 goals in 28 games despite a poor championship by the traditional Lisbon club. In the Champions League, Núñez was a key figure in the surprising quarter-finals with six goals. There the Portuguese failed 1: 3 and 3: 3 at Liverpool, but the offensive talent entered the scorer list in both games. In short: the man drew attention to himself.

Darwin Núñez (Benfica) in the Quarterfinals against Liverpool

Fotocredit: Getty Images

It seems unlikely that Bayern will hand over the responsibility of Lewandowski’s successor to a 22-year-old without a great deal of experience. But Núñez could be an option when it comes to a perspective striker who is brought to Säbener Straße in addition to an established attacker.