10 USA stars in line for summer transfers including Pulisic and Balogun
A number of USMNT players could be on the move this summer, with speculation abounding about the future of stars including Christian Pulisic and Folarin Balogun.
Currently ranked above AFCON champions Senegal and four-time World Cup winners Germany in the FIFA rankings, this current crop of American players is among the strongest in the country's history. A youthful team reached the knockout stages of the World Cup in 2022 in Qatar, emerging from a group which included England, Wales and Iran unbeaten to qualify.
Already dubbed by many as a 'Golden Generation', several players turn out for some of Europe's top clubs. After success in the CONCACAF Nations League and Gold Cup in 2021, the team will be looking to follow that success up this year, with the final of the former competition to come against Canada on June 19.
Their place in the final of the tournament was booked following a chaotic 3-0 victory over Mexico at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, with a brace from Pulisic and a closing strike from Ricardo Pepi sending them on their way. They will have to do without Weston McKennie and Sergino Dest, however, after they dismissed in the brutal encounter.
While returning head coach Gregg Berhalter will have long term plans, many of the stars of the USMNT face uncertain futures at their respective clubs. With this in mind, Mirror Sport thought we would run you through the names who may be on the move this summer...
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Folarin Balogun
The Arsenal academy graduate experienced a breakout season while out on loan in Ligue 1 with Stade de Reims under Will Still, scoring 22 times in all competitions in France. The 21-year-old forward could be set for a move to Serie A, however, with the likes of Napoli and AC Milan circling for his signature to the tune of £30 million ($38 million).
Christian Pulisic
The pacey Chelsea winger reminded everyone of his quality with two strikes for USMNT versus Mexico in the CONCACAF semi final but he is a forgotten man at Stamford Bridge, playing just 813 minutes last term. A parting of ways may suit all parties this summer, with Juventus waiting in the wings, according to Gazzetta dello Sport, with Napoli and AC Milan also harbouring an interest.
United States star Christian Pulisic has been linked with a move away from Chelsea following a frustrating season at Stamford Bridge. (Robin Alam/ISI Photos/Getty Images)Weston McKennie
The Juventus midfielder did not enhance his reputation with a six-month loan move to Leeds United, with the Elland Road club succuming to relegation from the Premier League on the final day. After 19 appearances in Yorkshire, it looks very unlikely that his loan will be made permanent but his parent club do look set to cash in on him, as per Gazzetta dello Sport.
Ricardo Pepi
The 20-year-old marksman is another USMNT player who has experienced a whirlwind rise in the past year, with a successful loan at Eredivisie club Groningen having yielded 13 strikes in 31 appearances in all competitions. Previous to this, he had struggled at parent club Augsburg in the Bundesliga, failing to find the net in 15 league outings and a move to Dutch giants PSV Eindhoven now looks imminent, as per Fabrizio Romano.
Tyler Adams
The former RB Leipzig star joined Leeds United under former boss and compatriot Jesse Marsch but wasn't able to keep them up in the Premier League, with his injury in March landing a fatal blow to their survival chances. He showed enough in his 24 league appearances to suggest that he is at home at that level and has been linked with Liverpool, Nottingham Forest, Manchester United, Newcastle United of late, according to LeedsLive.
USMNT stars Tyler Adams and Weston McKennie were unable to keep Leeds United in the Premier League, with the Yorkshire side suffering relegation. (Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)Sergino Dest
The 22-year-old full-back is clearly talented but has experienced something of a journeyman career so far in Europe, leaving boyhood club Ajax for Barcelona in 2020, before going out on loan to AC Milan last term. He made just eight appearances in Serie A last season, however, and could be on the move again this summer, with the Blaugrana ready to move him on, as per Mundo Deportivo.
Brendan Aaronson
Another player who was relegated with Leeds United last season, Brendan Aaronson never really hit the heights during his debut season at Elland Road, following a switch from Red Bull Salzburg. With one goal in 31 Premier League appearances, he could be about to leave the club after just one campaign if a club is to trigger an active relegation clause in his contract, according to LeedsLive.
Haji Wright
The 25-year-old Antalyaspor forward was in electric form last season and notched an impressive 15 goals in 28 Super Lig games last term, following on from a similarly fruitful loan spell the year before. His consistency and age may well attract suitors in the coming months, with the likes of Southampton having been linked with him by the Daily Mail, as well as Rangers and Villareal, as per BBO Sports.
Auston Trusty
The former Colorado Rapids defender is still yet to play a senior game for Arsenal, having signed for the Premier League giants in January of 2022, spending last season on loan with Birmingham City. The US international was a mainstay for the Blues, making 44 appearances in the Championship and will be allowed to permanently leave the Emirates Stadium this summer, according to football.london.
Auston Trusty of the United States will be allowed to leave Arsenal permanently (John Dorton/USSF/Getty Images)Malik Tillman
The Bayern Munich midfield prospect struggled establish himself with the Bundesliga champions but impressed while out on loan at Rangers last season, scoring 10 times in 28 SPL appearances. According to the Daily Mail, Premier League outfits Brighton and Brentford have emerged as potential suitors, while Michael Beale has openly said he would like to keep the youngster at Ibrox.
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Zack Steffen
Still on the books at Manchester City, the US back-up goalkeeper spent last year on loan at Middlesbrough, where he played a total of 45 times in all competitions. He has already told Philadelphia Inquirer of his desire to leave the Etihad Stadium this summer and it looks as though Pep Guardiola is willing to grant his request, according to The Northern Echo.
Erik Palmer-Brown
The Troyes defender played more than any US national in Europe's Big Five leagues last season for the relegated Ligue 1 outfit, with 3193 minutes on the clock. However, with the French side having dropped into the second tier, a move away may beckon for the 26-year-old, according to SBI Soccer.
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