[Saba Sports News] According to the latest reports from Spanish media, Barcelona star Robert Lewandowski is highly likely to leave the club for Major League Soccer (MLS) after the conclusion of the current La Liga season, as his contract with the Catalan side is set to expire and the club has no intention of renewing it. He is poised to depart as a free agent, paving the way for MLS teams to sign him without paying a transfer fee.
Meanwhile, Lewandowski himself has publicly expressed his interest in MLS on multiple occasions, stating a clear open stance and ruling out the possibility of retiring at the end of the season, with his personal will emerging as a key driver behind the potential transfer. Additionally, following the arrivals of global superstars such as Lionel Messi, MLS has seen a remarkable surge in its global visibility and commercial value, making it an increasingly attractive destination for Lewandowski, who is in the latter stages of his career and seeking new challenges and a high-quality lifestyle experience.
There have already been concrete developments in the transfer talks, with several MLS clubs actively in contact with Lewandowski’s team. Among them, the Chicago Fire hold the discovery rights to the Polish striker, granting them priority to negotiate and sign him; the club also initiated discussions with Lewandowski’s camp some time ago, putting them in the leading position for the transfer. Should Lewandowski make the move, he will be registered as a Designated Player, meaning his salary will not be subject to the league’s salary cap. The Chicago Fire only need to adjust their existing squad to free up the corresponding roster spot before the summer transfer window, leaving ample room for the operation on a procedural level. While other teams including Inter Miami have also been linked with the forward, they are currently less competitive than the Chicago Fire due to league regulations.