Robert Lewandowski
Robert Lewandowski has scored 23 goals sin 26 appearances this season. Getty

Carlo Ancelotti urged Bayern Munich to keep coveted Robert Lewandowski at the Allianz Arena next season before agreeing to replace Pep Guardiola as the new Bundesliga giants' manager, according to AS. The news came just after recent reports from Germany revealed that Manchester United, Real Madrid and Paris Saint Germain are trying to lure the in-form striker away from the Bundesliga champions ahead of the next summer transfer window.

The 27-year-old star has become one of the most sought-after number nines around the world after an impressive start to the campaign, in which he has scored 23 goals in 26 appearances. That puts him alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and just behind Borussia Dortmund's Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Luis Suarez in the European top-scorers rank.

More about Robert Lewandowski

Sports Bild recently revealed that Manchester United, Real Madrid and PSG are ready to battle for his services in what could be one of the biggest transfer sagas of the summer. The German publication claimed that the French millionaires were set to offer him around €15m-a-year (£11m, $16.4m) to convince him to snub both the Premier League and the La Liga giants – as the last two would be able to pay him just €12m (£8m).

Spanish newspaper AS later sparked the Madrid speculation after spotting the player's agent at the Santiago Bernabeu box during the win over Getafe – and president Florentino Perez had earmarked the Pole as his next Galactico.

But the Spanish publication then revealed a big blow for Lewandowski's suitors after claiming that Ancelotti specifically requested the Bayern board to keep the striker in his ranks as a condition of becoming the next manager of the club.

Bayern announced the appointment of the former Chelsea boss to be the replacement of Guardiola next summer. And according to AS, the Italian wants Lewandowski and Douglas Costa to be the central force of his new side as Arjen Robben and Frank Ribery have already moved into their thirties.