Manchester City\u2019s latest prodigy Erling Haaland says he \u2018felt sorry\u2019 for Robert Lewandowski after Bayern Munich had earlier tried to sign him as the Pole\u2019s replacement.<\/p>\n
As revealed in extracts from a documentary set to be released on this summer\u2019s superstar Manchester City signing, the clips showed that Bayern were actually seriously considering going for Haaland from Borussia Dortmund as the existence of a release clause in the striker\u2019s BVB contract signaled his availability for a special price, making him an even hotter target for Europe\u2019s elite clubs, with Bayern being prime on the list.<\/p>\n
Understandably the Bavarian juggernaut\u2019s interest in the Norwegian peeved the Bundesliga\u2019s all-time second-highest scorer, Lewandowski, who left the side this summer for Barcelona with a record of 344 goals in 375 games, eight league titles, and a European treble.<\/p>\n
Unsurprisingly after news had leaked out about his club planning to hijack the Borussian Dortmund striker, Lewandowski began agitating for a move away from the Allianz Arena, with his agent, Pini Zahavi, confirming that it was in large part due to Haaland.<\/p>\n
\u201cRobert is a very intelligent person,\u201d Zahavi told BILD. \u201cNot just the best striker in the world.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe knows exactly what is happening around him and what FC Bayern had planned. So Robert knew all along that Bayern wanted to replace him with Haaland.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe football world is big, but there are no secrets.\u201d<\/p>\n
As expected, Bayern\u2019s interest in Haaland certainly wasn\u2019t a secret to the Norwegian either, who had actually discussed a possible switch between the Bundesliga sides during filming for the documentary \u2018Haaland: The Big Decision\u2019. <\/em><\/p>\n The 22-year-old hottest young striker in Europe empathised with the man he had duelled for to nab the Bundesliga\u2019s Golden Boot, saying: \u201cIf I try to imagine how Lewandowski thinks\u2026<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t know how many goals and titles he has for the club. Then I do actually feel a little sorry for him.<\/p>\n \u201cAt the same time it\u2019s a chance for him to take the next step in his career. It feels disrespectful, but at the same time it is an opportunity for him.\u201d<\/p>\n Haaland\u2019s dad and former Man City player, Alf Inge, added: \u2018They [Bayern] have shown interest, they have.<\/p>\n \u201cI understand they want to protect themselves. If he doesn\u2019t end up there they will say \u2018it was never on the agenda, we already have the best striker\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n It was good that no hard feelings had developed between the two former Bundesliga dynamos as the recent friendly charity match between Barca and Man City in August revealed, and in fact on the contrary displaying their mutual admiration and respect.<\/p>\n The two were seen embracing pre-match at the Camp Nou before a long chat on the pitch.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"