The clock is ticking on transfers in both MLS and Europe, with the end of August marking a crucial period for the U.S. men’s national team. Several players face uncertain club futures, or need significant moves, to cement their place in Mauricio Pochettino’s World Cup plans.
In Italy, Yunus Musah’s status continues to swing like a pendulum. Last week, it was reported he would stay at Milan, but now it appears both Nottingham Forest and Crystal Palace are aggressively moving to acquire the talented midfielder, who has struggled for consistency in Serie A.
Josh Sargent is off to a torrid start, scoring in his first two games of the season. Yet, Norwich manager Liam Manning stressed that the striker could still be on the move. In MLS, Max Arfsten has been linked with a move all summer and it appears Real Salt Lake’s talented youngster, Zavier Gozo, is drawing interest from a Belgian giant.
BALLGM tracks all of the American player movements in the USMNT Transfer Notebook, a recurring feature covering the latest developments for those in the U.S. national team pool.
The clock is ticking on transfers in both MLS and Europe, with the end of August marking a crucial period for the U.S. men’s national team. Several players face uncertain club futures, or need significant moves, to cement their place in Mauricio Pochettino’s World Cup plans.
In Italy, Yunus Musah’s status continues to swing like a pendulum. Last week, it was reported he would stay at Milan, but now it appears both Nottingham Forest and Crystal Palace are aggressively moving to acquire the talented midfielder, who has struggled for consistency in Serie A.
Josh Sargent is off to a torrid start, scoring in his first two games of the season. Yet, Norwich manager Liam Manning stressed that the striker could still be on the move. In MLS, Max Arfsten has been linked with a move all summer and it appears Real Salt Lake’s talented youngster, Zavier Gozo, is drawing interest from a Belgian giant.
BALLGM tracks all of the American player movements in the USMNT Transfer Notebook a recurring feature covering the latest developments for those in the U.S. national team pool.
Will he stay or go? That’s seemingly been the question for months with Musah, a player with plenty of potential who has struggled to find a fit in AC Milan. Though Musah appeared to be set to stay after a strong preseason, Nottingham Forest emerged as a strong contender to sign the American, with the Athletic reporting the two clubs opened talks over a move.
Things took another turn on Tuesday. Forest reportedly wasn’t willing to reach Milan’s $40 million valuation, offering $35.1 million. That could open the door for another club to emerge in Crystal Palace, according to journalist Ciro Venerato. Musah’s is Forest’s No. 1 target, but they are already looking at alternatives if Milan aren’t willing to accept their bid.
There are positives and negatives with both reported bids, as Forest clearly values Musah but had struggles integrating another American, Gio Reyna, two years ago. Palace features another USMNT star in Chris Richards, but already has a strong midfield with Adam Wharton and Daichi Kamada.
Will it be London or Nottingham or potentially Naples?Time will tell.
Sargent is arguably the hottest striker in the U.S. national team pool, scoring in both of Norwich’s opening games. Despite Sargent wearing the captain’s armband in the opener, Canaries boss Manning admitted the 25-year-old could still be on the move.
“I think the best practice is to be proactive with the work you do… With the interest, you’d be mad to not do anything behind the scenes to be prepared. So, of course, we want him to stay, but we have to be prepared if it doesn’t happen,” the manager said.
While Sargent turned down a move to Wolfsburg earlier, he continues to be linked with other moves – including to Burnley and Leeds earlier this summer.
In June, it was reported that Belgian side Genk were monitoring RSL teenager Zavier Gozo. Yet speculation suggests that they aren’t the only club who are watching the U.S. youth international, who scored at the weekend for Real Salt Lake against the New York Red Bulls.
Gozo, 18, has been a breakout star alongside Diego Luna in the first team, and is expected to compete for a spot at the U20 World Cup this September.
“I don’t really think about that,” he said of a possible transfer. “I’m just focused on the season right now and getting as many wins as we can, making the playoffs. And then, you know, the offseason, we’ll see.”
The emerging wingback has been the subject of a transfer tug of war between Toulouse and Middlesbrough, but if reports out of England are to be believed, the Crew star has given a clear indication of his preference.
The Northern Echo is reporting Arfsten wants to go with Boro and has asked for a transfer from Columbus.
The sticking point remains price, as the English club’s bid of $3 million was rejected by the MLS side – who insist they want to keep the 24-year-old until the end of the season.
If the deal goes through, it could be a promising for Arfsten, as manager Rob Edwards likes playing a system with attacking wingbacks, and currently features fellow USMNT midfielder Aidan Morris.
TRANSFER TALK
+ Stuttgart are pushing to sign Cole Campbell from Borussia Dortmund, according to Sky Sports. Campbell is reportedly eager for the move. Dortmund, though, would prefer a loan, but are open to a sell-on clause or a buyback option.
+ Winger Griffin Yow remains linked to the English Championship. Portsmouth remain interested, while Belgian side Anderlecht and MLS side D.C. United are also reportedly keeping tabs.
+ Midfielder Gio Reyna remains the subject of transfer speculation. A report claimed that Borussia Dortmund and Parma are nearing a deal for his signature.
COMPLETED DEALS
+ Tim Weah made the move to Marseille, on loan from Juventus. Clearly a sentimental return to French soccer, one that allows him to continue to retrace his father’s massive footsteps. Nostalgia aside, this is an interesting move for Weah, as he joins a team that is well-stocked with attacking talent.
+ Matt Turner returned to the New England Revolution, on loan from Lyon. On the field, the only thing that mattered this summer was finding a place to get playing time – and with New England, he’ll surely get his minutes.
+ Unlike Sargent, Malik Tillman is heading back to the Bundesliga, having completed a $47 million move to Bayer Leverkusen to serve as the club’s Florian Wirtz replacement.
+ Patrck Agyemang finalized his big move to Derby County, but will be on the shelf for the first few weeks of his time in England after undergoing hernia surgery.
+ Midfielder Johnny Cardoso has signed a multi-year deal with Atletico Madrid, joining on a permanent transfer from Real Betis.
+ Caleb Wiley has completed a loan move to Watford, as he returns to the club after spending the second half of last season with them in the Championship.
+ U.S. Youth international Julian Eyestone has signed a new contract with Brentford in the English Premier League and has been promoted to the senior team for the 2025-26 season. He is expected to be a part of the U20 FIFA World Cup this fall with the USYNT.
+ Forward Damion Downs has completed a $9.5M transfer from FC Koln to Southampton in the English Championship.
+ Noahkai Banks, the 18-year-old American defender, has signed a contract extension with Bundesliga side Augsburg, keeping him at the club until 2028.
+ Defender George Campbell has joined West Bromwich Albion on a permanent transfer from CF Montreal.
+ San Diego FC has signed U.S. youth international Pedro Soma from Cornella in Spain.
GRADES: BALLGM grades every completed deal involving USMNT players
