Robert Lewandowski's Barcelona exit fuels Saudi and MLS interest

Robert Lewandowski will depart FC Barcelona after the season‑ending match against Valencia on 23 May, ending his four‑year spell with the Catalan club. His next destination remains undecided, but the veteran striker has attracted attention from several parties.

In the Middle East, Saudi Pro League giants Al‑Hilal and Al‑Ittihad are reported to be the front‑runners. Al‑Hilal is proceeding cautiously, weighing its surplus of foreign forwards and the player's age, while Al‑Ittihad sees Lewandowski’s experience and marketability as a way to strengthen the squad, especially amid uncertainty over Youssef En‑Nesyri’s future.

Across the Atlantic, MLS club Chicago Fire has also expressed interest. American journalist Scott French argued that the MLS offers a more balanced competitive environment than the Saudi league’s financially‑driven super‑clubs, noting that "MLS is no longer a league for retirees" and could provide Lewandowski with a different kind of challenge.