In a stunning twist during the summer transfer window, a Barcelona superstar turned down a colossal €100 million offer from Saudi Arabia.
The cash-rich Saudi Pro League, backed by the Saudi Public Investment Fund, has been luring high-profile players to the Middle East, and FC Barcelona has not been immune to their advances.
While the Catalan giants lost one of their stars, Inigo Martinez, to Al Nassr, another prominent player was also targeted with a jaw-dropping proposal.
The player in question, Robert Lewandowski, was offered an extraordinary €100 million annual contract, complete with additional incentives and bonuses, to leave Barcelona for Saudi Arabia, according to Diario Sport.
The 37-year-old Polish striker, widely regarded as one of the world’s elite forwards, rejected the lucrative deal.
His agent requested a postponement of negotiations, signaling Lewandowski’s intent to remain with Barcelona for the time being.
However, sources suggest his entourage left the door open for future discussions regarding the Saudi project.
The Saudi Public Investment Fund revealed that Lewandowski was a prime target for the recruitment committee, with top clubs like Al-Hilal and Al-Nassr prioritizing him.
A source stated, “Lewandowski was on the list of potential names to bring to the Saudi league, alongside other international stars.”
Al-Hilal and Al-Nassr, eager to bolster their squads, also considered Liverpool’s Darwin Nunez as an alternative.
After Lewandowski’s refusal, Al-Hilal moved swiftly to secure Nunez to spearhead their attack.
Lewandowski’s decision to stay underscores his commitment to Barcelona, where he continues to shine.
However, with his contract set to expire at the end of the season, speculation surrounds his future.
As the season progresses, all eyes will be on whether this Barcelona icon remains at the Camp Nou or if the Saudi allure eventually proves too tempting.
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