Report: Bayern to offer new one-year contract for Robert Lewandowski

The Polish super-striker has been a hot topic at FC Bayern in recent months. The latest development from French football magazine L’Équipe reveals the German record champions will offer Robert Lewandowski a brand new one-year contract (not an extension) with an annual salary of 24m€, the exact same as his current deal.

L’Équipe has also disclosed FC Bayern have zero intention to offer any pay rise in the future, nor are they planning for a two-year contract at this moment in time

There is a complex reason why the club is offering a brand new contract instead of an extension. Most, if not all, multi-year contracts will have a clause which increases the annual salary by a certain amount or percentage each year. If FC Bayern offered an extension of this contract, the new salary could be anywhere between 5% and 15% higher than the current 24m€ annually. By offering a brand new contract (and therefore negating any previous numbers or clauses for a raise), Lewandowski’s contract beginning from July 2023 will be at the same rate as the period ending in June 2023, instead of higher

To incentivise the signing, there will undoubtedly be a higher agent fee and potentially more bonus targets and/or amounts, such as a goal/assist bonus and appearance fees. This will also increase Lewandowski’s market value and allow FC Bayern to generate some revenue should they decide to sell him in the future

FC Bayern’s number one target to replace Robert Lewandowski (should he leave) is still Erling Haaland. The Norwegian may still be high up on the list for both Manchester City and Real Madrid, but the Die Roten are still definitely in the race. Should they not be able to land their target, however, Serge Gnabry will have his wishes of playing centrally fulfilled. Thomas Müller, Serge Gnabry, and even Leroy Sané are options to start regularly up front, ahead of Choupo-Moting