Confirmed 

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Could Robert Lewandowski soon play in Major League Soccer for the Chicago Fire? The Polish striker will be out of contract this summer and has been linked to several clubs over the last few months. This weekend, Lewandowski and his agent, Pini Zahavi, flew to Chicago to meet with Fire officials. That meeting has now been confirmed by Chicago Fire head coach Gregg Berhalter in an interview with Polish journalist Mateusz Skwierawski. Transfermarkt understands that the Chicago Fire have been in talks with Lewandowski’s camp for some time and have offered the Polish national team striker a Designated Player contract.

“He has every opportunity to become a great star in America,” Berhalter said in the interview. “This country is ready for him. He has had a brilliant career, and this could be the next challenge in his incredible career.” In talks with Lewandowski, Chicago not only made a contract offer for the next two to three years but also explained the project’s details. “We talked about his position and how he could help the team win the championship. I think the most important thing is that we showed him what we can offer him in Chicago.”

How would Lewandowski fit in at the Chicago Fire? “Right now we are a team with a very aggressive attack; we have the second or third best attack in the entire league, but we want to be the best,” Berhalter said. “I think that with Lewandowski we can build a team that can truly fight for the championship.” Headed into the World Cup break, the Chicago Fire were third in the Eastern Conference behind Nashville and Inter Miami. Berhalter, however, wasn’t quite right about his attack; the Fire have scored 27 goals, fewer than Miami (39), Vancouver, San Jose (both 34) and Nashville (31). But in Hugo Cuypers (13 goals), Chicago have the top goalscorer in the league already.

Lewandowski to MLS? “I am sure he has many options”

There is no doubt that Lewandowski would add significant firepower to an already impressive Chicago Fire side. But the star striker also has options in Europe. Clubs from Italy, Türkiye, Saudi Arabia and even Germany have shown interest. But Berhalter believes the club has done everything it can to convince Lewandowski to choose Chicago. “It is a beautiful city,” Berhalter said. “I am sure that Lewandowski has many options, but we want to show him that Chicago is a very good opportunity for him.”