Robert Lewandowski lands in Chicago as Fire push to close deal amid Saudi competition

Robert Lewandowski touched down in Chicago early Saturday after a late-evening flight from Barcelona, accompanied by his agent Pini Zahavi. The visit marks the most concrete step yet in the Chicago Fire’s pursuit of the 37-year-old striker, who became a free agent after his Barcelona departure.

The trip and the welcome

The private jet departed Barcelona around 20:00 local time on Friday and arrived in Chicago shortly after 3:00 Polish time, according to flight-tracking data and Polish journalist Przemysław Garczarczyk. The Fire prepared a series of electronic billboards along the highway from O’Hare airport reading “Enjoy your visit, Robert Lewandowski,” while an invitation was emailed to fans for a special event at the club’s World Cup viewing zone on Sunday. “I don’t recall any other such action for an MLS transfer,” said Katarzyna Przepiórka, an expert on North American soccer.

The owner, Joe Mansueto, is obscenely wealthy — and he puts that money into the club, not just the academy but also big-money signings. Robert would have a chance for one of the highest contracts in league history.

Contract and competition

Multiple Polish outlets, citing journalist Tomasz Włodarczyk, report the Fire are offering a two-year deal worth €15 million per season plus bonuses that could bring the total to €20 million. Another source put the figure at $20 million. The Saudi club Al-Hilal has reportedly tabled an offer of €90 million per season, though Lewandowski’s preference remains the Saudi Pro League, according to Sport.pl. Lewandowski has not yet made a decision, and the visit is intended to help him reach one.

We see him right up there with Messi in terms of ability, and it’d be great for the city of Chicago. We’re trying to recruit world-class players.

The sporting context

The Fire sit third in the Eastern Conference with 26 points from 14 games. Head coach Gregg Berhalter, who confirmed ongoing contact with Lewandowski on the Up & Adams show, envisions a partnership with current MLS top scorer Hugo Cuypers (13 goals). Lewandowski scored 14 goals in 31 La Liga appearances last season, though other sources tally 19 goals in 46 games across all competitions. He netted 119 or 120 goals in 191 or 197 total appearances for Barcelona, depending on the source.

Why it matters

A move would make Lewandowski the latest marquee name in MLS, following Lionel Messi, Marco Reus, Hugo Lloris, Thomas Müller, Son Heung-min, Antoine Griezmann and others. For Chicago, it would be a statement signing for a franchise that last won the MLS Cup in 1998 and has struggled to compete with the league’s top brands. The club has also reportedly offered Lewandowski’s wife, Anna, support in expanding her businesses in the U.S. One obstacle remains the time zone and long travel distances, which the striker would prefer to avoid for regular trips to Poland and Spain.