Once touted as a foundational piece of the U.S. men’s national team and ranked among the world’s top 60 prospects in 2019, Yunus Musah, now 22, finds himself fighting to reignite his career with the 2026 World Cup less than a year away.
It has been a turbulent summer for Musah, who opted out of the Gold Cup with the U.S. for personal reasons while his status at AC Milan has been in constant flux. One week, he is linked to a Premier League move. The next, reports suggest new coach Max Allegri intends to keep him. The speculation hasn’t slowed, with Musah repeatedly tied to potential transfers across Europe.
The good news for Musah is that there is clearly interest. Yet, the most important factor will be whether or not he will play week in or week out. Being added as a depth piece serves neither him nor the USMNT.
BALLGM takes a look at the top landing spots for the Rossoneri star.
Once touted as a foundational piece of the U.S. men’s national team and ranked among the world’s top 60 prospects in 2019, Yunus Musah, now 22, finds himself fighting to reignite his career with the 2026 World Cup less than a year away.
It has been a turbulent summer for Musah, who opted out of the Gold Cup with the U.S. for personal reasons while his status at AC Milan has been in constant flux. One week, he is linked to a Premier League move. The next, reports suggest new coach Max Allegri intends to keep him. The speculation hasn’t slowed, with Musah repeatedly tied to potential transfers across Europe.
The good news for Musah is that there is clearly interest. Yet, the most important factor will be whether or not he will play week in or week out. Being added as a depth piece serves neither him nor the USMNT.
BALLGM takes a look at the top landing spots for the Rossoneri star.
This one reportedly developed this week in Europe, and it could be the best landing spot for Musah – though it is incredibly complex.
According to Sky Sport Italy, defending Serie A champions Napoli are targeting Atalanta midfielder Marco Brescianini. La Dea will only sell if they can find an agreement with AC Milan for Musah- who would also need to agree to the move. Milan would then want to secure Bologna’s Giovanni Fabbianto ensure they have a replacement for their versatile American.
This all seems like a three-way trade in the NBA, and a lot of loose ends that would need to be covered to get it past the finish line.
For one, Atalanta had reportedly tried to acquire Musah earlier in the summer, but were shot down by Milan, who were holding out for $34.8 million and wanted to give Allegri time to evaluate him. Musah is keen on the move to the club due to the short distance from the city Milan to Bergamo- where Atalanta play – being a selling point.
Yet, even if all parties come to an agreement, the attention then shifts to Fabbian as Bologna are reportedly putting up a front to prospective buyers for the 22-year-old – rumored to be valued at $17.5 million.
If all of those machinations go through, Musah is a potentially great fit for Ivan Juric’s Atalanta. The Croatian manager values tactical flexibility in his 3-4-2-1 formation and likes midfielders who have good size, work rate and the ability to drift wide when needed. Musah checks all of those boxes.
If all fails with that transfer scenario, Napoli could end up resurrecting their pursuit of the American. Musah has been linked with the Gli Azzurri all summer, as it was reported that boss Antonio Conte strongly values the midfielder. Yet, would this really be the right move for the former Arsenal academy player?
If Musah is struggling for minutes and starts at AC Milan, a club that’s outside of the Champions League, where does he fit in a stronger Napoli side? Perhaps Conte sees a way he can bring out the best from a player who was expected to be among Europe’s elite, but that’s more of a gamble than a certainty.
If this weren’t a World Cup year, such a move would make more sense. But right now, Napoli seem a risky option.
This is another club that has been intermittently linked with the American, yet factors both inside and outside the club might play against a move.
There is currently internal turmoilbetween Forest manager Nuno Espírito Santo – who helped the club secure its first trip to Europe in decades – and ownership, along with the Sporting Director Edu. It is unclear whether it was Nuno who drove interest in Musah, or the club. But Musah is coming off two seasons in which he played in a unstable club with musical chairs at the manager position at Milan.
It is unlikely he will want to experience the same thing in England. It also doesn’t help that fellow USMNT player Gio Reyna went to the club after being pursued by Forest only to ride the pine for most of his loan spell there.
Sky Sports Italy has also reported that it is Musah’s preference to stay in Italy.
Could London potentially change Musah’s mind about staying in Italy?
FA Cup holders Crystal Palace, who continue to defy expectations under upstart manager Oliver Glasner, were reportedly interested in Musah just two weeks ago – though that pursuit seems to have cooled since. Still, this could be another strong landing spot for the midfielder.
The club just lost Eberechi Eze, and while yes, Musah isn’t the same player, he can slot in as a No. 6 or No. 8 for the club, providing physicality and pace on both sides of the ball. It also doesn’t hurt that rising USMNT star Chris Richards plays for the club and that Musah spent his formative years in London as a member of Arsenal’s youth system.
Palace reignited one former Gunner academy prospect in Eze – could the same happen with Musah?
Stranger things have happened, right?
As important as it is for Musah to get valuable playing time, and a potential move almost certainly assures that, he might also be boosted by just sticking around and fighting for his place under yet another manager. It isn’t the best-case scenario, but with the right mindset, a breakthrough could happen.
Milan lost Tijjani Reijnders to Manchester City over the summer, and their remaining options don’t necessarily scream world-beaters. Luka Modrić is on his last legs, Ardon Jashari is unproven, Youssouf Fofana is inconsistent, and Ruben Loftus-Cheek is Ruben Loftus-Cheek, for better or worse.
The only player that should be a consistent starter is Samuele Ricci, meaning there’s a pathway for Musah to prove deserving of more minutes. The ball is in his court.
