Bayern Munich are adamant they will not sell Robert Lewandowski this summer despite the striker having told them he wants to leave.

Telegraph Sport revealed earlier this month that Chelsea have made Lewandowski a top target – which would probably signal the depature of Alvaro Morata - but they would face a battle from a host of Europe’s leading clubs if there was any indication that Bayern would sell.

There is a growing expectation that Karim Benzema may leave Real Madrid, and possibly join Marseille, which would create an opportunity for them to sign Lewandowski, who has made no secret of his desire to join the Spanish giants.

There would no shortage of bidders for Lewandowski – virtually every elite club bar Barcelona would want the 29-year-old, it is understood – but Bayern are becoming increasingly determined to keep him.

It raises the possibility of Lewandowski having to stay at the club against his wishes. Lewandowski’s agent Pini Zahavi confirmed to Telegraph Sport that his client wanted to leave and Zahavi stood by quotes he gave to Sport Bild magazine in which he said the Bundesliga’s top scorer “feels that he needs a change and a new challenge in his career”.