Initial rumors about Lewandowski joining MLS once looked doubtful, but the Poland striker now appears close to a club level switch. He is said to be flying to Chicago to meet Chicago Fire officials and potentially sign for the second half of the season. The Fire sit third in the Eastern Conference, one place behind Messi's Inter Miami.
Polish reporting indicates Lewandowski will visit Chicago to listen to a contract proposal from the Fire. He is expected to seriously consider that offer. On that pitch, one of his first MLS assignments could land against Inter Miami.
Chicago's schedule includes a July 16 home date against Vancouver, then the July 22 trip to Miami. Whether Messi appears in that match remains unsettled. Argentina's World Cup final is set for July 19 if they reach it, which would leave little recovery time before a July 22 kickoff. If Argentina exit earlier, Messi and Lewandowski could face each other in South Florida on that date.
Messi's Inter Miami arrival has already drawn other high profile names to MLS, including Son Heung-min and Thomas Muller, with Antoine Griezmann reportedly set to follow this summer. Lewandowski, 37 is viewed as the next big name in that wave despite no longer being in his prime scoring years.
