Klinsmann hails Lewandowski as a Bayern legend despite Barcelona move

Jurgen Klinsmann labeled

as a legend despite pushing for a move to Barcelona this summer. Klinsmann, who played for Bayern between 1995 and 1997, told the

regarding the Polish striker’s departure:

“Well, I think in the short term, there's a little bit of sadness.

"Maybe also a little bit of attention because there was still hope that he would stay and not get moved out.

"I think you let the grass grow for a couple of months and then I think all of Bayern Munich fans, the club, everyone involved will be forever thankful to Robert for what he's done.

Lewandowski joined

from Bundesliga rivals Borussia Dortmund on a free transfer in 2014, and still at the age of 33, he scored 50 goals for Bayern last season.

"

He will be definitely one of the biggest legends in the history of the club, one of the most exciting, one of the most exceptional players,”

the former Bayern player added.

"There will be an opportunity when he comes back. Maybe it's a friendly game, or it's maybe even, down the road, a European cup competition or whatever, where he will get an exceptional reception from the Bayern fans.

"For a couple of weeks, maybe there will be a little bit of bitterness for some of the fans, but that goes away, definitely goes away. So in the long run, he will be remembered as one of their greatest."

The former Liverpool forward

Sadio Mane

joined Bayern as the Polish striker’s replacement while the Bavarians used the cash earned from Lewandowski's transfer to sign Juventus centre-back

. They have also signed midfielder Ryan Gravenberch and right-back Noussair Mazraoui from Ajax this summer, and Jurgen Klinsmann is happy with Bayern’s transfers. He added:

"I think they've done tremendously well. They came up with Mane and I was really impressed.

"I thought that he was at the right place there with Jurgen Klopp and he's done fantastic, absolutely fantastic, with Liverpool then also with the national team and we're going to see him in Qatar in November and December. So to get him from Liverpool is a big deal, a really big deal.

"Then they added another huge piece in De Ligt, a very young, highly-promising centre back and growing at the age of 22. He's already a leader. That's huge.

"Knowing Bayern Munich, they're always looking. They're always checking the market and when there's the opportunity to get another one or two very, very crucial pieces for their puzzle, they're going to do it.

"Don't be surprised if they do it but from one of their main rivals because that's what they traditionally did over the last 30-40 years, but they've already kind of covered up a lot in this transfer market and any other player now coming in as just another piece of quality."

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