Various media outlets echoed a fortuitous meeting last Wednesday between Xavi Hernández and Robert Lewandowski at a resort venue in Ibiza. A coincidence, maybe, but one that obviously got journalists and bloggers typing away about it being something neatly agreed beforehand. Likewise, there was also speculation about whether they had actually seen each other inside the premises or each had taken different paths.
What did Lewandowski say to Xavi?
Here at AS we can now confirm that there was indeed a meeting and they even chatted amicably for a few minutes. It was a totally informal conversation where they talked about their families and vacations, but there was also a pointed reference to the potential Barça move. It was as they bid each other farewell, when Lewandowski openly acknowledged to Xavi his desire to wear the Blaugrana shirt very soon: “I really want to train with you,” he said.
This was as clear a declaration of intent from a player who is showing an absolute commitment in his desire to sign for FC Barcelona. Each and every one of his public statements are open challenges to his current club, Bayern Munich, to let him go.
The Bavarian hierarchy remain firm in their position, although they appear to have begun to give some hints of a certain permissiveness, going from flatly refusing any negotiation to appraising the striker at 60 million euros. In Catalonia there is confidence that that this figure will end up lowering with the idea of being able to bring him for a price close to 50 million.
And it’s not only Lewandowski who is keen to have it resolved quickly so that he does not have to return to Munich on July 12. Xavi, too, has his timescales fixed, hoping to have the Polish forward in place ahead of the US tour that begins on July 16. Robert is now seen as the cornerstone of Barça’s new project that targets a return to the success and silverware they were accustomed to.
