Robert Lewandowski, the prolific Polish striker, is reportedly on the verge of accepting a monumental offer from Saudi Pro League club Al-Hilal, signaling an imminent departure from FC Barcelona once his contract concludes this summer.
The 37-year-old forward has received a concrete and official proposal from Al-Hilal, according to SportoweFakty, which includes a staggering €90 million per season. This figure translates to approximately £1.48 million per week, a salary that would position Lewandowski as the third-highest-paid player in the Saudi Pro League, behind only Al Nassr’s Cristiano Ronaldo and his potential new teammate, Karim Benzema at Al-Ittihad.
A sporting decision for the Polish star
Despite the lucrative financial terms, Lewandowski’s decision to potentially leave Barcelona is described as “primarily sporting, not economic,” by Spanish outlet SPORT. He is said to be seeking a protagonist role, a stark contrast to the secondary position he understood he would occupy within Hansi Flick’s project at Barcelona. The Catalan club had reportedly offered Lewandowski a one-year extension, contingent on a 50% salary reduction, and informed him that his role would remain that of a reserve player.
For Lewandowski, maintaining peak physical condition for the Polish national team is a significant factor. He believes a move to the Saudi Pro League would offer lighter training regimens and regular playing time, allowing him to preserve his form for international duties. Speaking to SPORT earlier in May, Lewandowski hinted at such a move:
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“I’m almost 38, but I feel good physically, so I’m considering it. I have to consider the possibility that it might be time to play more freely and enjoy life. Maybe that option arises, and I’m not ruling it out.”
Lewandowski’s agent, Pini Zahavi, has been actively discussing proposals from Saudi Arabia, though other clubs, including MLS side Chicago Fire and Portuguese giants Porto, have also reportedly made offers.
Al-Hilal’s ambitious project
Al-Hilal, currently second in the Saudi Pro League and unbeaten this season, are just five points behind Al-Nassr with a game in hand. Coached by Simone Inzaghi, the club has been aggressively building a formidable squad. If Lewandowski joins, he could link up with a host of high-profile players including Karim Benzema, Ruben Neves, Darwin Núñez, and Theo Hernández. The club also boasts a notable achievement from the last Club World Cup, where they reached the quarter-finals after eliminating Manchester City, according to SportoweFakty.
The Saudi Pro League has become a magnet for top European talent, offering unparalleled financial incentives. A look at the league’s top earners, courtesy of Capology, highlights this trend:
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- Cristiano Ronaldo (Al Nassr) — €208m a year
- Karim Benzema (Al Ittihad) — €104m
- Sadio Mané (Al Nassr) — €47m
- Riyad Mahrez (Al Ahli) — €35m
- Kalidou Koulibaly (Al Hilal) — €29m
- Sergej Milinković-Savić (Al Hilal) — €29m
- Ivan Toney (Al Ahli) — €27m
- Theo Hernández (Al Hilal) — €24m
- Kingsley Coman (Al Hilal) — €23m
- Marcelo Brozović (Al Nassr) — €21m
Lewandowski will depart Barcelona having secured three La Liga titles. His career statistics are formidable, with 628 goals in 867 club appearances and 89 goals in 165 caps for Poland. His potential move to Al-Hilal underscores a significant shift in his illustrious career, prioritizing a leading role and national team considerations in what could be his final major club chapter.
Sources: www.capology.com, sportowefakty.wp.pl, www.sport.es
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