Robert Lewandowski could reportedly seal a summer move to Barcelona from Bayern Munich in the coming days.
The 33-year-old has entered the final 12 months of his contract with the perennial Bundesliga champions and has gone public with his desire to leave the club in the current window.
Club chiefs have frequently ruled out the prospect of Lewandowski being sold, with the likes of Hasan Salihamidzic and Oliver Kahn insisting that he will stay on for at least another season.
However, Bayern would then run the risk of losing the Poland international on a free transfer next summer, and Barcelona are testing the Bavarians' resolve in the current window.
Lewandowski had allegedly refused to take part in pre-season training with Bayern as he tries to force an exit, but the striker has now returned to the club's practice pitches ahead of the new campaign.
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In spite of Bayern's stance, Sky Sports News claims that Lewandowski could end up leaving the club at some point this week as Barcelona prepare a final offer of €50m (£42.3m) excluding add-ons.
Lewandowski has informed Bayern that he will not be penning a new deal with the club, meaning that this summer is their penultimate chance to recoup a respectable fee for the ex-Borussia Dortmund man.
Bayern could instead try to sell Lewandowski in January, but the striker would then be free to negotiate a pre-contract agreement with clubs elsewhere ahead of a free transfer in the summer.
Barcelona are already said to have seen a £33.8m bid for Lewandowski's services turned down by Bayern, but the Catalan giants are willing to offer the Pole a three-year deal with a minimum £30m a year guaranteed, and he is keen to make the switch.
Lewandowski left Borussia Dortmund on a free transfer in 2014 to sign for Bayern, and the attacker has since racked up 344 goals and 72 assists in 375 games for the club in all tournaments.
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Despite his advancing years, Lewandowski found the back of the net 50 times in 46 matches last season and won his eighth consecutive Bundesliga title with the Bavarian outfit.
Bayern could supposedly be more open to a sale given their need to raise funds for their pursuit of Juventus centre-back Matthijs de Ligt, who could cost in excess of £100m.
Barcelona welcomed Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to the club from Arsenal in January, but Xavi is still after another big-name striker despite the Gabon international's strong start to life in Catalonia.
Memphis Depay and Martin Braithwaite could both be moved on before the window shuts, while Luuk de Jong left the club earlier this summer following the conclusion of his loan spell.
La Blaugrana could soon be set to welcome one new attacker to their ranks, as Leeds United are reportedly poised to accept a €68m (£57.5m) bid for Raphinha.
Ben Knapton
