The Chicago Fire are in talks to sign German international Leon Goretzka, sources told MIR97 Media. The 31-year-old midfielder is a free agent after leaving FC Bayern München this spring.
Goretzka is currently in the U.S. with the German national team, who played the United States in a friendly last week in Chicago. The story was first reported by the Athletic this afternoon.
Goretzka, who is formerly of Schalke 04 and VfL Bochum, made 211 Bundesliga appearances for FC Bayern, scoring 40 times. He was mostly a backup during his final season with the club. He also has 70 caps for Germany, scoring 15 times, including a crucial goal against Hungary at Euro 2020.
The news of the talks with Goretzka come on the same day that his former FC Bayern teammate Robert Lewandowski arrived in Chicago for an unofficial visit. Lewandowski also remains in talks with the Fire to join as a free agent and is a long-term target of the club.
When the German national team came to th Windy City last week as part of their World Cup preparations, players, fans, and staff were quick to express their admiration for the city both privately and publicly. Goretzka, who featured in last week’s friendly as a substitute, was involved for the whole camp.
Goretzka shares a Germany-based agency with U.S. internationals Malik Tillman and Gio Reyna. Goretzka also played alongside former Fire midfielder Bastia Schweinsteiger with Germany. He will remain with the German national team for the rest of the World Cup.
As he would be a free agent, the Fire may be able to work some roster mechanics to sign both Goretzka and Lewandowski in the same window. The Fire currently only have one open Designated Player slot, with both Hugo Cuypers and Jonathan Bamba occupying the other two.
