Real Madrid could have signed Robert Lewandowski for £17million in 2014… but opted to keep Arsenal target Karim Benzema instead
Pole joined Bayern Munich on a free from Borussia Dortmund, but Los Blancos had chance to meet striker's buy-out clause
ROBERT LEWANDOWSKI could have moved to Real Madrid in the summer of 2014 before joining Bayern Munich, according to reports in Spain.
The 28-year-old striker left Borussia Dortmund for Bavaria on a free transfer three years ago.
But, claim Los Blancos had the chance to break that arrangement, had the met his £17million buy-out clause.
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However, Florentino Perez hesitated because he wasn’t prepared to let Karim Benzema leave.
Lewandowski first came to the attention of Real Madrid after his four-goal showing against them for Dortmund in 2013.
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He produced one of Europe’s best-ever goal scoring performances, as BVB beat Jose Mourinho’s men 4-1 to put one foot in the Champions League final.
From that moment, Perez decided the Poland international was “born to play for Real Madrid”.
However, any transfer would surely have meant letting Benzema leave — and the Bernabeu president was not prepared to let that happen.
The Frenchman had been of interest to Arsenal that summer, but decided he wanted to stay with the European champions.
Lewandowski confirmed initial negotiations during in an interview with in which he stated: “There were talks.”
The Bayern striker missed the first leg of the Champions League quarter-final at the Allianz Arena which saw Real Madrid take a 2-1 lead.
However, he is set to return for the trip to the Bernabeu.