By Oliver Trust
BERLIN, April 23 (Xinhua) -- Two days before the first leg of Bayern Munich's Champions League semifinal against the Spanish giants Real Madrid, there is speculation about the future of their Polish striker Robert Lewandowski.
Reports speak of Lewandowski's strong motivation to prove his international class against Real. So far he has only scored five goals in nine Champions League games.
Despite trying to squash rumors about a summer move to Real Madrid, latest reports in the Spanish and German media indicate that the 29-year old has repeatedly put in transfer requests.
The Spanish newspaper "Marca" reported that Lewandowski's agent Pini Zahavi recently spoke to Bayern's club leaders about his client's wish to depart despite his contract running until 2021.
Under the headline "Lewandowski keeps pushing for Real Madrid move," the paper says the center forward has not given up plans to join Madrid as the side is supposed to be looking to reorganize its squad after the current season.
According to the report, Bayern is already looking for a replacement for the striker. Tottenham striker Harry Kane, Timo Werner (RB Leipzig), Edison Cavani (Paris St Germain) and Alvaro Morata (Chelsea) were mentioned in earlier reports as possible successors.
German tabloid Bild also reports that Lewandowski is hoping for a change as his collaboration with his agent is only valid until August 31, 2018.
According to the Berlin-based paper, the date could indicate a Lewandowski move otherwise his cooperation with Zahavi "would not make any sense".
While Lewandowski is by far the Bundesliga's top scorer this season with 28 goals, reports say he is strictly following his career goals.
He is said to be looking for a new challenge after having set a new goal scoring record for a non-German player, scoring his 105th goal in the league last weekend when his club secured its 25th win of the season.
"Marca" reports Lewandowski has increased the pressure on his current club to agree to a summer transfer. In recent interviews, Lewandowski emphasized that he is not thinking about a change. "Am I thinking about Real in terms of a transfer? No, not at all," he told a Polish radio station. At the same time, he said he is not thinking about next season as he is still focused on the current one.
Bayern coach Jupp Heynckes has recently stated he doesn't think Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge will allow the Polish international to leave.
English media reports say Premier League clubs have joined the race for Lewandowski. Manchester Unied is said to be interested.
