Romano: Lewandowski on His Way to Chicago Fire

Barcelona's Polish star striker Robert Lewandowski is on the brink of a major career turning point. Italian transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano announced with his latest report that the 37-year-old forward's move to Chicago Fire is close. According to Romano's information, Lewandowski has flown to the US with his agent Pini Zahavi and is in the final stage of deciding on his move to Chicago Fire. Romano also stated that the deal carries a two-year plus one-year option structure.

Lewandowski's Barcelona adventure ends this summer. The Polish forward, who transferred from Bayern Munich to Camp Nou in 2022, spent four seasons with the Catalan team. The season he left behind was the lowest-scoring season for the Polish star since his first year at Borussia Dortmund. Under Hansi Flick's management, he scored 18 goals in 42 matches. These statistics were evaluated as unusually low figures for a striker who has been at the top of Europe in his career. Barcelona had not offered the player a formal contract renewal.

On the Chicago Fire side, the MLS team's long-time work for Lewandowski is well known. Talks with Pini Zahavi have been ongoing for more than a year. Club owner billionaire Joe Mansueto met with Zahavi in London last year and had also contacted Zahavi after Lewandowski for a Neymar transfer. Chicago Fire also holds the MLS "discovery rights" for Lewandowski; this means that other MLS clubs cannot make formal offers for the Pole. In Romano's words: "MLS side pushing to get it done." 

On the financial side, the details reported by Mundo Deportivo are eye-catching. The contract Chicago Fire is offering to the Pole includes a package of 15 million euros gross per year, which can reach 20 million euros with bonuses. This figure is evaluated as one of the highest offers Lewandowski has received throughout his career. The Polish star had rejected an offer from Saudi Arabia earlier this year. His wife Anna Lewandowska's visit to Chicago in November is another detail showing that the groundwork for the transfer was laid a long time ago.

Chicago Fire head coach and football director Gregg Berhalter had also publicly expressed interest in the Polish star. Berhalter, as the former US national team head coach, had stated that Lewandowski could be the leader of the attacking line alongside Hugo Cuypers. Cuypers, who is leading the MLS Golden Boot race, has 12 goals in 9 matches. Lewandowski will fill the three Designated Player (DP) slots of Chicago Fire alongside French winger Jonathan Bamba.

Lewandowski is currently preparing for the 2026 FIFA World Cup with the Poland national team. The star player, who will serve in the tournament as Poland's captain, will make the most important decision of his career this summer. It is a fact that the Polish star is very close to the signature of Chicago Fire in the new period that will open after the World Cup. Romano's statement was accepted as confirmation from one of the most reliable sources keeping the pulse of the transfer world.

Source: Fabrizio Romano.

Image: beinsports.com.tr