Lewandowski turned down Saudi offer before Chicago move

Robert Lewandowski rejected a lucrative Saudi Pro League proposal before beginning his new chapter with Chicago Fire, according to his agent Pini Zahavi. The Poland captain, now 37, ultimately chose a different route despite what Zahavi described as an extraordinary financial offer.

Saudi option was on the table

Lewandowski has recently become a Chicago Fire player, taking his career outside Europe after spells with Borussia Dortmund, Bayern Munich and Barcelona. Across those clubs, he built a record of major success, winning league titles, domestic cups and individual scoring honours.

But the move to Major League Soccer was not the only possibility available to him. Sport.pl reports that staying at Barcelona had also been a realistic scenario, with club president Joan Laporta said to be in favour of that outcome. The issue, however, was Lewandowski's desire for a bigger role than the one offered by Hansi Flick.

Zahavi, speaking to WP SportoweFakty, revealed that another path emerged during the winter transfer window: a move to the Saudi Pro League.

Why Lewandowski considered Saudi Arabia

According to Zahavi, the attraction was not only financial. He said Lewandowski saw practical advantages in a move to Saudi Arabia, including lifestyle considerations, a smaller time difference between Riyadh and Warsaw, and a shorter distance to Poland than from the United States.

The money involved was also significant. Zahavi said Lewandowski had a two-year offer worth €100 million per season on the table in January 2026.

• Lewandowski received a Saudi Pro League offer in January 2026.
• The proposal was for two years.
• The value was €100 million per season.
• Zahavi said Lewandowski still wanted to play for Barcelona.

Why the deal did not happen

Despite the scale of the proposal, Zahavi gave a simple explanation for why the move never materialised: Lewandowski wanted to continue playing for Barcelona. That ambition, rather than the financial package, proved decisive at the time.

It adds another layer to the story of Lewandowski's eventual departure from Spain. While Chicago Fire is now his destination, the route there appears to have included serious alternatives on both sides of the Atlantic.

Focus now shifts to Chicago Fire

Lewandowski's start in MLS has not been ideal. As noted by The Athletic's Tom Bogert, Chicago Fire lost matches against Miami and NYCFC in his opening week. For now, there is no suggestion of panic, but the scrutiny around a player of Lewandowski's stature is only likely to intensify if results do not improve.

The striker is now preparing for his third appearance for Chicago Fire and his first in front of the club's home supporters, with Gregg Berhalter's side set to face Charlotte FC. After a career defined by goals, trophies and relentless expectation, Lewandowski's latest challenge is clear: to bring that same authority to MLS.