Chicago Fire FC and Robert Lewandowski are in the final stages of negotiations for a deal that would bring the Polish striker to MLS this summer, as confirmed by a source to ESPN.
Both parties are close to finalizing their agreement, which is expected to be completed shortly.
Lewandowski would become a free agent after his contract with Barcelona expires at the end of the 2025-26 season. His departure from Barcelona comes after winning seven major trophies, including three La Liga titles, a Copa del Rey, and three Spanish Super Cups.
– Lewandowski exits Barcelona after revitalizing the team in LaLiga
– Reassessing Europe’s elite clubs based on World Cup player performances
– The reasons behind Man City’s hefty investment in Forest’s Elliot Anderson
Prior to his stint at Barcelona, Lewandowski achieved remarkable success with Bayern Munich and Dortmund, securing 10 Bundesliga titles. He also lifted the Champions League trophy in 2020 with Bayern, defeating Paris Saint-Germain 1-0.
He is poised to join the Eastern Conference side under head coach Gregg Berhalter.
“We are aiming to recruit world-class players,” Berhalter stated this month on the show “Up & Adams.” “We believe [Lewandowski] would be a tremendous addition, not just for the Chicago Fire but for the league as a whole. He stands alongside Messi in terms of talent, and it would be a fantastic asset for the city of Chicago.”
In 2025, Berhalter guided the Fire to their first playoff appearance in eight years, attaining the wild-card round from eighth place in the Eastern Conference. The team secured a 3-1 victory against Orlando City but was subsequently defeated by the Philadelphia Union.
“We are committed to avoiding complacency,” Berhalter remarked to ESPN in 2025. “No matter your status or age, we believe there is always room for improvement. This principle is crucial to our philosophy.”
The Fire currently hold third place in the Eastern Conference standings, amassing 26 points from 14 matches, trailing just behind Nashville SC and Inter Miami.
A potential matchup between Lewandowski and Lionel Messi could occur on July 22, when Inter Miami hosts the Chicago Fire at Nu Stadium in Miami.
Sky Sports was the first to report that Lewandowski’s transfer to Chicago is nearly complete.
MLS is currently on a midseason break due to the World Cup in North America but will resume play in early July.