Ex-Barcelona Sporting Director reveals ‘most important’ reason for Robert Lewandowski signing, admits regret

Former Barcelona Sporting Director Jordi Cruyff has admitted that he regrets the fact Barcelona had to part ways with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang after just six months. Of course part of the reason he ended up doing so was to make way for Robert Lewandowski, the big-name signing of Joan Laporta’s second mandate.

Many questioned the wisdom of signing a 33-year-old striker for a reported €45m with just a year left on his contract, but Cruyff explained that in his eyes, it was a necessity.

“The most important reason why we signed Lewandowski was because his dream was to play for Barca. He had the motivation and wanted to leave Bayern. When you know that he is willing to make a lot of efforts to come, even financially, you need to sign him.”

🚨 It's now planned that Hansi Flick will sign with Barcelona on Tuesday. The trip is currently also planned for Tuesday. @Plettigoal

— barcacentre (@barcacentre) May 26, 2024

Lewandowski did score the goals that led Barcelona to La Liga last season, although this year has been less successful, and he has potentially another two years on his contract. Similarly, Ilkay Gundogan’s signature was a result of his desire to play for the Catalan giants.

“He had many offers on the table, but he wanted to play for Barca and that’s why we were able to sign him.”

Cruyff did lament having to let go of Olympique Marseille striker Aubameyang though, who left due to Barcelona’s need to bring in funds, as he told Fabrizio Romano in an interview carried by MD.

“If it had been up to us, we would have liked Aubameyang to stay for several years.”

Working alongside Director of Football Mateu Alemany, Cruyff’s work was largely regarded as successful, working on a budget. His successor Deco has taken over the reins, and the jury is still out in his first ever job in the position. This year he will have his first full summer in charge of the Blaugrana recruitment strategy, and in difficult circumstances, will be asked to prove his worth.