Bayern: Lewandowski likely to join in 2014

Bayern Munich chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has hinted at Robert Lewandowski joining the club on a free transfer at the end of the season.

Lewandowski – who scored 36 goals in 49 comptetitive appearances for Dortmund last season – has been regularly linked with a switch to UEFA Champions League winners Bayern in recent months.

Bayern, who also won the Bundesliga title last season and the DFB Pokal in a historic treble, have failed to land their man though, with the 24-year-old now likely to remain at his club until his contract expires in a year’s time.

Dortmund have already lost star midfielder Mario Goetze to Bayern this year and they are refusing to do business with the Bavarians in a bid to keep their own title aspirations alive.

When quizzed about the possibility of Bayern signing Lewandowski on a free transfer at the completion of the 2013-14 campaign, Rummenigge told Sport Bild: “I believe that Dortmund knows that.”

Borussia Dortmund chief executive Hans-Joachim Watzke has repeatedly said that Lewandowski will not be sold to Bayern.

And according to Rummenigge’s latest comments, Watzke’s words may have sunk in.

“I have the impression that the word of Mr. Watzke counts. He will have thought well about the spell that Lewandowski will stay,” he said.