Robert Lewandowski is seeking to leave Bayern Munich, according to manager Niko Kovac. AP Photo
Robert Lewandowski is seeking to leave Bayern Munich, according to manager Niko Kovac. AP Photo

Robert Lewandowski 'thinking about playing somewhere else' but Bayern Munich have no plans to sell



Bayern Munich manager Niko Kovac has admitted Robert Lewandowski wants to leave the club, but insisted the German champions have no intention of selling their "top striker".

Poland international Lewandowski has been Bayern's top scorer in three of the last four seasons since joining the club in 2014 and has reached the 40-goal mark in each of the last three campaigns.

His exploits have helped the club extend their domestic dominance, winning four Bundesliga titles in as many years but media reports have claimed Lewandowski, whose contract at Bayern runs until 2021, has been eager to find a new challenge.

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Kovac confirmed that the striker has expressed a desire to move on, with Real Madrid reportedly interested in his services, but Bayern will not entertain any offers.

"There is nothing new with Robert. The status is that he will not leave the club because he's our top striker. And certainly we don't want to give him away and won't give him away," Kovac told Sky Sports.

"It's true that Robert is thinking about playing somewhere else. Naturally, one thing is what he wants, the other is what we want.

"We are FC Bayern, we have a top striker. We certainly will not let ourselves be persuaded from the outside, that's the way to do it. Robert has a contract... he will certainly stay here as long as possible."

Former Eintracht Frankfurt and Croatia manager Kovac also said that he does not expect the transfer situation to hinder Lewandowski in the upcoming campaign.

"He is a professional and knows that he also has something to prove to himself and everyone else. He actually already knows this, but we will say it again, that he will also have to step on the gas," Kovac added.

"He also wants to score goals and be successful. Robert Lewandowski stands for success and goals and he will prove that in the future."

Bayern start their league campaign against Hoffenheim on August 24.

SPECS

Mini John Cooper Works Clubman and Mini John Cooper Works Countryman

Engine: two-litre 4-cylinder turbo

Transmission: nine-speed automatic

Power: 306hp

Torque: 450Nm

Price: JCW Clubman, Dh220,500; JCW Countryman, Dh225,500

How will Gen Alpha invest?

Mark Chahwan, co-founder and chief executive of robo-advisory firm Sarwa, forecasts that Generation Alpha (born between 2010 and 2024) will start investing in their teenage years and therefore benefit from compound interest.

“Technology and education should be the main drivers to make this happen, whether it’s investing in a few clicks or their schools/parents stepping up their personal finance education skills,” he adds.

Mr Chahwan says younger generations have a higher capacity to take on risk, but for some their appetite can be more cautious because they are investing for the first time. “Schools still do not teach personal finance and stock market investing, so a lot of the learning journey can feel daunting and intimidating,” he says.

He advises millennials to not always start with an aggressive portfolio even if they can afford to take risks. “We always advise to work your way up to your risk capacity, that way you experience volatility and get used to it. Given the higher risk capacity for the younger generations, stocks are a favourite,” says Mr Chahwan.

Highlighting the role technology has played in encouraging millennials and Gen Z to invest, he says: “They were often excluded, but with lower account minimums ... a customer with $1,000 [Dh3,672] in their account has their money working for them just as hard as the portfolio of a high get-worth individual.”

Tour de France 2017: Stage 5

Vittel - La Planche de Belles Filles, 160.5km

It is a shorter stage, but one that will lead to a brutal uphill finish. This is the third visit in six editions since it was introduced to the race in 2012. Reigning champion Chris Froome won that race.


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