Until mid-May, it was uncertain whether Lewandowski would depart Barça when his contract expired at the end of June or sign a new deal with the Catalan club. The Spanish champions are reported to have offered the 37-year-old centre-forward a contract extension on reduced terms, but he rejected it after careful consideration.
The 37-year-old now faces two options: a financially lucrative move to the USA or Saudi Arabia, or staying in Europe's top tier. Juventus Turin and AC Milan have both been linked, yet neither club secured Champions League qualification. Should he prioritise Champions League football, both suitors are automatically ruled out.
Portuguese champions FC Porto, who can offer him Champions League football, are also monitoring the situation. In addition, Manchester United have been linked with the Poland international. The third-placed side from last season's Premier League will return to the Champions League next term, and Lewandowski has history with the Red Devils. In 2024 he told Ferdinand, on the latter's YouTube channel, that he had already agreed to join United in 2012, only for Borussia Dortmund to block the move. Two years later he signed for Bayern Munich.