I had arrived in Dortmund the previous night under the cover of darkness, knowing full well the delicate nature of the business I was about to undertake. My flight had been uneventful, but the anticipation had been eating away at me ever since I stepped off the plane. I knew that this meeting could change the trajectory of Manchester United for years to come, but it also had the potential to backfire spectacularly if mishandled. My goal? To convince Robert Lewandowski, one of the world's most sought-after strikers, to join the club before approaching Borussia Dortmund formally.
It wasn't exactly ethical—what I was doing was known as "tapping up" in football terms. It involved initiating informal discussions with players and their representatives before going through the proper channels of speaking to the club first. While frowned upon and technically against the rules, it was a well-known secret in the footballing world that clubs engaged in this sort of behavior all the time. Getting a verbal agreement from the player and his camp was often the first step before formal negotiations could take place. It was a risky move, but sometimes risks had to be taken, especially in a transfer market as competitive as this one.Football was a business, and in business, you have to get ahead any way you can
Lewandowski's situation in his past life, as I remembered it, had been complicated. His transfer to Bayern Munich had left a bitter taste in the mouths of Dortmund fans, At the time, the transfer had sparked outrage among Dortmund fans. He left the club on a free transfer, meaning Dortmund received nothing in return for losing one of their best players to their most hated rivals. The fans were incensed, and Lewandowski was branded a traitor—a man who had turned his back on the club that had elevated him to stardom. To them, it was one of the worst betrayals in the history of football.
But I knew that Bayern hadn't been innocent either. They had initially backed out of what was, by all accounts, a done deal, leaving Lewandowski in a position where he was willing to stay at Dortmund but couldn't come to terms on a new contract with them. It was a mess, one that I now intended to exploit.
The next morning, as I headed toward the café where I was scheduled to meet Lewandowski and his agent, I felt a sense of nervous excitement. This wasn't just a regular transfer negotiation; it was a chance to alter the course of football history.The café itself was modest, tucked away in a quiet part of town, chosen specifically for its anonymity. It was a far cry from the glamorous restaurants and private clubs where football deals were often made, but it was perfect for our purposes. As I approached, I spotted Lewandowski and his agent already seated at a table near the back. They both noticed me, stood up, and we exchanged firm handshakes before sitting down.
"I Apologize for being late ," I said as I took my seat. "I hope you haven't been waiting long."
Lewandowski's agent, a shrewd man with years of experience in the business, gave a polite smile. "No, we just got here a few minutes ago. No harm done."
We ordered coffee, the small talk flowing easily as we discussed the usual subjects: recent matches, the state of European football, the relentless pace of the season. But I knew we couldn't avoid the main topic for too long. After a few minutes, I decided it was time to get to the heart of the matter.
"I'll get straight to the point," I began, locking eyes with Lewandowski. "I would like to bring you to Manchester United. You'd be a key part of our squad and a major player in the Premier League."
Lewandowski sat back in his chair, considering my offer carefully. "I appreciate the interest," he replied, his voice measured. "But to be honest, I still feel like I have more to accomplish here. Dortmund has given me a lot, and I feel I owe something to them."
"I understand your loyalty," I said, nodding. "But I'm also aware that you've had discussions with Bayern Munich."
His eyes flickered with interest, but he didn't say anything right away. His agent, however, looked at me intently. "You've done your homework," he said, clearly impressed that I had knowledge of the discussions with Bayern. "But what makes United a better option than Bayern? They're dominating the Bundesliga and Europe right now."
"They are," I acknowledged. "But think about it. In Germany, Bayern's dominance is almost a given. Yes, they win titles, but the competition isn't as fierce as it is in the Premier League. In England, every season is a battle. Every match is watched by millions around the world. You won't just be winning titles; you'll be playing on the biggest stage football has to offer. Imagine the headlines: Lewandowski, the man who revived Manchester United. You'll be a legend not just in England but worldwide."
He was quiet, contemplating my words, but I could tell I was getting through to him. Still, he had one more hesitation. "It's an attractive offer," Lewandowski admitted. "But you already have a number of strikers at the club. Rooney, Van Persie—there's competition. How would I fit in?"
I was prepared for this. "That's true, but Rooney and Van Persie are both nearing the end of their prime years. Van Persie, in particular, is likely leaving after this season. We're looking for someone who can lead our attack for the next five years, maybe more. While I can't guarantee playing time—that's ultimately the manager's decision—I can tell you this: You'll be one of the most important players at Manchester United. And if you're serious about winning the Ballon d'Or, there's no better place to do that than with us."
Lewandowski and his agent exchanged a few quiet words. I could see them weighing the pros and cons. It was a delicate moment, the kind of conversation that could make or break a deal. After a few moments, Lewandowski turned back to me.
"Provided you can reach an agreement with Dortmund," he said, "I'm willing to join Manchester United."
A smile broke across my face. We stood, shook hands once more, and then went our separate ways, knowing that this was the start of something special.
That same afternoon, I reached an agreement with Borussia Dortmund for Lewandowski's transfer. The deal involved a £15 million fee, along with Robin van Persie moving in the opposite direction. By the next day, Lewandowski had signed his contract and officially became a Manchester United player. It was a move that sent shockwaves through the football world and marked the beginning of a new era for the club. Lewandowski had chosen the Red Devils over Bayern, and I knew it was only a matter of time before the decision would pay off, both for him and for us.It wasn't just about securing a player; it was about positioning Manchester United to claim its place at the top of world football. And with Lewandowski leading the line, I was confident we would do just that.