Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski has departed the club despite receiving a major offer from Saudi Arabia. His agent, Pini Zahavi, revealed in an interview that Lewandowski was offered a two-year contract worth €100 million per season in January 2026 but declined because he wanted to continue playing for Barcelona.
Zahavi emphasized that club president Joan Laporta also wanted Lewandowski to remain for another season, mentioning a conversation in December when Laporta said, "I want Robert to stay." However, the sporting department and coaching staff could not guarantee Lewandowski a regular starting place, which was crucial to the player.
"You know him – he always wants to play, to be a key player," the agent said. Differing visions for Lewandowski’s future from manager Hansi Flick and sporting director Deco led to exploring other options.
Eventually, Lewandowski signed with Major League Soccer’s Chicago Fire for a two-year deal reportedly worth about $40 million total, the league's second-highest contract after Lionel Messi’s. Zahavi believes Lewandowski can replicate the positive impact he had at Barcelona during a difficult period.
Laporta, according to Zahavi, holds Lewandowski in very high regard, calling him "the man who saved Barça," and assured there will always be a place for him if Lewandowski wishes to work at the club in the future.
