Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski has revealed he verbally agreed to join Manchester United in 2012, but Borussia Dortmund blocked the transfer. The Polish international disclosed this previously unknown near-move during a BBC Sport interview, expressing mixed feelings about missing his Premier League opportunity while affirming satisfaction with his decorated career path.
Who was involved? The central figures are Lewandowski (then 23), Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, and Borussia Dortmund’s leadership. The revelation came during Lewandowski’s interview with BBC Sport’s Liam MacDevitt, contextualizing one of modern football’s most intriguing transfer near-misses.
What occurred? In 2012, at the peak of his Dortmund scoring form, Lewandowski gave Manchester United his verbal commitment to transfer. However, Dortmund refused to sanction the move despite the player’s agreement. This followed another aborted Premier League move in 2010 when a volcanic ash cloud disrupted his planned transfer to Blackburn Rovers.
When did this happen? The transfer discussion occurred in 2012 during Lewandowski’s final prolific seasons at Dortmund. The revelation emerged publicly on August 12, 2025, in Lewandowski’s BBC interview. The timing coincides with the 37-year-old preparing for his 22nd professional season.
Where did it unfold? Negotiations centered between Manchester United’s Old Trafford leadership and Dortmund’s Bundesliga headquarters. Lewandowski made his disclosure from Barcelona’s training base, reflecting on the failed transfer 13 years later.
Why did it collapse? Dortmund blocked the transfer for financial reasons, believing they could extract greater value by retaining Lewandowski for 1-2 more seasons. Lewandowski specifically wanted to work under Ferguson, telling BBC Sport: ‘I wanted to join Manchester United, to see Alex Ferguson. They could not sell me because they knew if I stayed they could earn more money.’
How did it impact careers? The blocked move delayed Lewandowski’s departure until 2014 when he joined Bayern Munich on a free transfer. While missing his Premier League chance, he achieved extraordinary success: Champions League glory with Bayern, two La Liga titles with Barcelona, and over 700 career goals. He acknowledges ‘maybe it could be a regret’ but emphasizes: ‘I am very happy with my career.’
What’s next? Lewandowski remains Barcelona’s veteran leader, mentoring talents like 17-year-old Lamine Yamal. He continues defying age expectations, noting: ‘When I see that I still don’t have to catch the young guys, that they still have to catch me, it means this next season can also be very good.’ The revelation adds historical context to Manchester United’s ongoing striker searches as they begin their 2025-26 campaign.
