"Apparently, Bayern have asked Barça to pay upfront for Lewandowski."

The words of 'The Athletic' journalist Raphael Honigstein have gained particular notoriety when talking about the Robert Lewandowski and Barcelona saga. Some translations suggest that the editor is saying that the Bavarians want to be paid-in-full for the Pole because they believe the Catalans will disappear as a club. That may be what he meant, but not in such a drastic way.

Asked how the negotiations are going, he replied, "Well, that's the question because Bayern have apparently said to Barcelona: 'We don't want to be paid in installments because we're not sure you're going to be around a couple of years. We want all money the paid upfront".

Why do some translations suggest that Honigstein is talking about Barcelona's possible demise? Because of the part where he says, quoting Bayern's position, "no estamos seguros de que vayáis a estar por aquí en un lapso de uno o dos años". What he says in English is: "we are not sure you're gonna be around in a couple of years".

The words "be around" have been understood in various media as a way of saying that Barça will disappear because of its debts. This could be what the journalist meant, but maybe not, because what he said is "be around" ("estar por aquí", "estar cerca"). He could also have meant that the Catalans are in danger of losing their ability to make signings of this caliber or going bankrupt... only he knows.

Readers can see for themselves what the journalist said at minute 25:10 of the podcast by following this link.