‘I wanted to go’ – Barcelona star reveals how Liverpool boss Klopp blocked his transfer to Man Utd

Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski has revealed how Jurgen Klopp blocked his potential move to Man Utd during his days at Borussia Dortmund.

Since then, the Poland international has emerged as one of the deadliest finishers in the world with Lewandowski scoring 344 goals in 375 matches for Bayern Munich before heading to Barcelona last summer.

And he’s picked up largely where he left off with 27 goals in 34 matches in all competitions and he’s proved he’s still one of the best strikers around.

The 34-year-old won the Bundesliga twice under current Liverpool manager Klopp at Dortmund and he has recalled a time when the German coach refused to allow him to leave for Man Utd after a call from Sir Alex Ferguson.

Lewandowski said in an interview with Sport BILD (via Sport Witness) on Wednesday: “I remember the moment exactly. We had a friendly with Dortmund in preparation, I think against Bochum. I was subbed at half-time. I looked at my mobile phone in the dressing room. There was a text message with the sender +44. Ferguson had tried to call me and then sent me a message. He wanted to talk to me.

“I was still in the dressing room, I took a shower and called him back, in a quiet corner. My English wasn’t as good as it is today. He has a strong Scottish accent. I was so focused on understanding what he meant! Alex Ferguson tried to be considerate, spoke slowly.

“I was 22 years old, it was a special moment. I spoke to Aki Watzke and Jürgen Klopp in the camp. I wanted to go to Man United! But they said: ‘No chance, Robert. We need you. You have to stay’.”

And Lewandowski has also recalled a time when Klopp attempted to re-sign the striker for Liverpool, having coached the Poland international at Dortmund.

But Lewandowski admits himself that he wasn’t sure if the boss was being serious about a potential transfer or knew he’d be unattainable.

“We hosted Liverpool FC with Bayern in the Audi Cup in Munich in 2017,” Lewandowski added.

“We spoke on that occasion. Klopp asked me, ‘Don’t you want to come to Liverpool?’ We looked at each other, then I laughed.

“I don’t know if he was totally serious. But going to Liverpool was never in my mind.”