FC Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski has chosen the Chicago Fire as his next destination after becoming a free agent this week according to Mundo Deportivo and ESPN, citing anonymous sources.
June 30 is the day that Lewandowski ends a four-year association with the Catalans as a modern day club legend.
Eyebrows were raised when they paid Bayern Munich $57 million (€50 million) for a striker closing in on his 34th birthday in 2022.
Thanks to his unmatched professionalism and the way he takes care of his body, however, Lewandowski proved to be a bargain buy.
Across four fabled seasons, Lewandowski won Spain’s Pichichi prize for being the top scorer in La Liga, and lifted the top flight crown three times amid netting on 120 occasions in total.
There were reports that Lewandowski might stay at Barça for another year and he was supposedly offered a new deal.
Before another La Liga-winning campaign in 2025/2026 wrapped up, however, he announced his departure to a still unnamed destination.
FC Barcelona icon Lewandowski looks set to head to the US
Lewandowski has been linked to Italian clubs such as Juventus, Saudi Arabia, and Major League Soccer outfit the Chicago Fire.
According to Mundo Deportivo, however, the Pole has decided to continue his career in the ‘Windy City’.
Over at ESPN, they say that the Chicago Fire and Lewandowski’s camp are finalizing the details of a deal and are expected to reach an agreement soon.
“We’re trying to recruit world-class players,” Chicago Fire head coach Gregg Berhalter recently said on Up & Adams.
“We think [Lewandowski would] be a great signing not only for the Chicago Fire, but for the league, to have a player of that caliber. We see him right up there with [Lionel] Messi in terms of ability, and it’d be great for the city of Chicago.”
As for Barça, the quest continues to find a successor worthy of inheriting Lewandowski’s number 9 Blaugrana shirt.
Julian Alvarez is the top target and has agreed a five-year deal with FC Barcelona according to reports in Argentina. As reported elsewhere, however, Atletico allegedly wants a $171 million cash offer for the forward after Real Madrid bid that same amount earlier this month only to be knocked back.