Champions League hotshot remains prime Man United target

After he became the first player in history to notch a Champions League hat-trick against Real Madrid, Dortmund striker Robert Lewandowski’s value has sky-rocketed.

But that has not deterred a chasing pack of potential suitors to his signature, with a number of European giants circling the lethal Pole.

Lewandowski has little over a year remaining on his Westfalenstadion contract, but can still command a hefty fee in light of his exploits in Europe’s elite competition this term, in which he has notched 10 goals in 11 appearances.

Such displays have caught the attention of Bundesliga champions-in-waiting Bayern Munich, who were thought to have agreed a deal in principle with the 24-year-old.

Manchester United now appear ready to scupper the plans of the Allianz Arena outfit however, by offering Lewandowski the chance to complete a ‘dream move’ to Old Trafford.

Sir Alex Ferguson’s pursuit of the striker has been long-standing, with the Scotsman thought to have seriously considered making a bid for the marksman last summer.

Robin van Persie’s arrival in Manchester negated the Red Devils’ need for another forward then, but with the futures of Javier Hernandez and Wayne Rooney now uncertain, Ferguson is keen to bolster his attacking options.

And Lewandowski would jump at the chance to move to England, having long outlined his ambition to compete in the Premier League, with 7/2 the price that he is performing in the English top-flight next season.

The Champions League’s second top scorer this season has reportedly told friends that his preference is a move to United, ahead of Manchester City or Chelsea, who are also believed to have designs on the player.

£28m would be enough to secure his services, but it remains to be seen whether Ferguson is willing to pay such a hefty fee for a player with so little time left to run on his current contract.

Dortmund would prefer their asset to leave for England meanwhile, following a backlash from supporters amidst their recent sanctioning of Mario Gotze’s impending £31m switch to Bayern.

But fearing more angst amongst supporters, it is feasible that they will allow their hitman, who has struck 33 times in all competitions this season, to run down his contract until 2014.

Dortmund boss Jurgen Klopp’s admission that the club don’t necessarily need the money that Lewandowski’s sale would generate indicates the forward could make a free-transfer move to Manchester at a later date.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.