Chicago Fire pursuing Leon Goretzka deal as Robert Lewandowski visits

The Chicago Fire is pursuing Germany international midfielder Leon Goretzka, sources briefed on the situation but not authorized to speak publicly tell The Athletic, with the MLS club in talks over a second major signing in addition to Robert Lewandowski.

Goretzka is a free agent and will depart Bayern Munich when his contract expires at the end of the month. The Fire faces stiff competition from European clubs to sign him.

The Fire’s pursuit of Goreztka is in addition to their long-standing chase of Lewandowski. The Poland international is visiting Chicago this weekend as he nears a decision on his next club.

Lewandowski and Goretzka played together for Bayern Munich between 2018 and 2022.

Goretzka, 31, won seven Bundesliga titles and one Champions League in a dominant run with Bayern. He made 312 appearances with the club, including 48 appearances this season.

Goretzka is part of Germany’s squad at the World Cup this summer. He has 70 caps for his nation.

If Lewandowski signs with Chicago, the Fire would not have an open designated player spot for Goretzka. There is a strong precedent for teams to work deals around that, however, by backloading options on contracts as was done by the LA Galaxy with Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Inter Miami with Jordi Alba and Rodrigo de Paul and, most recently, in offers by both Miami and the Galaxy for Casemiro.

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