FOOTBALL

Barca must sell prized assets to sign Lewandowski, LaLiga chief says

Poland's Robert Lewandowski (R) practices during the Polish national football team training session ahead of Wednesday's UEFA Nations League Group D soccer match against Wales. Photo: Krzysztof Zatycki/dpa.

The prolific Poland captain has made no secret of the fact he wants to join Barca this summer

LaLiga president Javier Tebas says there is no way Barcelona can sign Robert Lewandowski unless they sell at least one of their prized assets.

Lewandowski on Monday declared that "my story is over" at Bayern Munich after he refused to sign a new contract with the Bundesliga champions beyond 2023.

The prolific Poland captain has made no secret of the fact he wants to join Barca this summer.

Yet Tebas stated the Catalan giants would not be able to afford the striker as they must cut their cloth accordingly after getting into big financial trouble.

Tebas believes the Blaugrana will have to allow one of their most valuable players to leave in order to make a move for Lewandowski.

He told Europa Press Sports Breakfasts: "Barca already know what they have to do if they want to sign Lewandowski.

'De Jong or Pedri'

"They know our economic control rules perfectly. It's to avoid major economic problems. I don't know if they will sell [Frenkie] de Jong or Pedri.

"They know what they have to do, sell assets. Barca have had many accumulated losses in recent years, some that could have been avoided, and they have to fill the pantry.

"Just like [Real] Madrid has filled their pantry, Barca's is empty. Today they cannot sign him."