Barca legend denies Mourinho linkup at Turkish club

Poland international Robert Lewandowski has been reacting to reports that he could leave the Blaugrana for pastures new this summer

Robert Lewandowski, Barca
Robert Lewandowski, Barca | Fran Santiago/GettyImages

Lewandowski's future at Barcelona has been in some doubt since the end of the season and the departure of Xavi as head coach.

His replacement, Hansi Flick, knows the Pole well from their time together at Bayern Munich, but he might now have other plans for his star striker after what was, by the 35-year-old's exalted standards, an underwhelming campaign. Nineteen goals in La Liga and twenty-nine overall is a perfectly respectable figure and, for anyone else, would represent a strong season.

But it is a little below par for such an outstanding goalscorer who has been among Europe's elite attacking players over the past decade or so. In addition, Flick faces severe financial constraints and may have to sell some of his most valuable assets if he is to rebuild a squad that finished well short of Real Madrid in the race for last season's title.

For his part Lewandowski seems content to stay at Camp Nou and is resisting the rumoured temptation of the Saudi Pro League's seemingly unlimited financial resources. Now comes a story that newly appointed Fenerbahce boss Jose Mourinho wants to bring the Barcelona superstar to Turkish football.

In response Lewandowski has decisively rejected such an idea and also dismissed talk of possible retirement too. So, it seems as though he won't be de-camping to Turkey or hanging up his boots this summer after all.

In other Barca-related transfer news, Bayern Munich have allegedly made an approach to Manchester United for a player previously linked with a move to Camp Nou. That player is Bruno Fernandes, who Hansi Flick's old club, Bayern, apparently wants to try and sign this summer.

A move to the Blaugrana for the Portuguese star never seemed at all likely given all the upheaval with Xavi's acrimonious exit and the club's financial problems.