Xavi responds to Robert Lewandowski transfer links after Bayern Munich message

Barcelona boss Xavi Hernandez has admitted Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski is a 'great' player but refused to enter into speculation over the player's future.

Lewandowski has reportedly told the Bundesliga giants that he 'won't sign a new deal' as he has already lined up a new club as Polish television channel TVP Sport claim Barca are in the driving seat to secure the player's signature. The 33-year-old striker was on target in Bayern's Champions League quarter final against Villarreal but the strike was not enough to save them from a shock elimination.

This week, Bayern CEO Oliver Kahn poured cold water on the suggestions that the Poland international would be leaving the club as he comes closer to entering the final 12 months of his contract. The forward has scored a remarkable 47 goals so far this term and has surpassed the 40-goal landmark in seven successive seasons.

Xavi responded when asked directly about the possibility of a future move for Lewandowski at a press conference on Wednesday: "This is not the time. He is a great player, but we have to focus on tomorrow's game,' Xavi told reporters. I understand the question, but this is not the right time to discuss potential targets."

Speaking ahead of Bayern's Champions League clash against Villarreal on Wednesday, Kahn explained: "We definitely have Robert with us for another season. We know what we have in him and we're relaxed about it. Apparently, there's a competition out there: ''Who will tell the biggest nonsense story about Robert Lewandowski?'' Talks will continue. We are not crazy and we will not be discussing the transfer of a player who scores between 30 and 40 goals with us every season."

As things stand, contract talks are a standstill between Lewandowski and Bayern but the club will look to reopen the discussions in the weeks and months to come. If no agreement can be reached between the player and the club, then he will be free to speak to other clubs from 1 January 2023 and sign a pre-contract agreement away from Bayern.

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The forward has spent the majority of his career in Germany having made his name at Borussia Dortmund before leaving on a free to join Bayern in 2014. Whilst at the Allianz Arena Lewandowski has won the Bundesliga every season and also claimed the Champions League in 2020.

No player has a Champions League record as impressive as Lewandowski. The Poland international had won a competition record 22 consecutive matches in which he had featured for Bayern, prior to the Round of 16 first leg draw away to Salzburg. While last week's loss in the first leg of their clash against Villarreal was his first defeat in 25 games in the competition. Despite him bagging 13 goals in this season's competition - Bayern could not do enough to advance to the last four.