According to Sky, the agreement is close to being made official with only the final contract clauses to be signed. Lewandowski had visited Chicago weeks ago to familiarise himself with the club, and having turned down significant offers from Saudi Arabia, has chosen the American league.
The move sets up a notable meeting in the MLS Eastern Conference between two former Barcelona strikers, with Chicago third in the standings on 26 points and Lionel Messi's Inter Miami second on 31. Nashville lead the conference on 33.
The transfer requires no fee as Lewandowski arrives on a free transfer, with Chicago only required to agree personal terms with the player directly.
The Pole's decision to join the Fire rather than accept the financially superior Saudi offers reflects his desire to continue competing at a meaningful level while also experiencing the North American market. He and Messi will now share a conference and potentially face each other across the coming two seasons.
At 37, Lewandowski remains one of the best-known strikers in world football and his arrival will give the Chicago Fire a significant commercial and competitive boost. The club has seen its profile rise steadily in recent years and the signing of a player of his stature represents a genuine statement of intent.
The MLS Eastern Conference now contains two of the game's great centre-forwards of the past decade, with Messi already established at Inter Miami. Their rivalry across the next two seasons — both still active, still effective — will add an intriguing subplot to a conference race that already has Nashville, Miami and Chicago in close contention.