The January transfer window is fast approaching and it is shaping up to be one of the busiest in history for Major League Soccer standouts heading to Europe.
The amount of interest in MLS players from European clubs has risen exponentially, driven in part by the success of young Americans in Europe, and the success of MLS alumni like Alphonso Davies and Brenden Aaronson, and MLS academy products like Weston McKennie and Gio Reyna.
It has also been driven by the considerable increase in young players being given opportunities to become starters at younger and younger ages, which helps put them on European club radars at ages where they can be seen as viable prospects and worthwhile investments. No longer are foreign clubs looking at MLS standouts in their mid-20s, but instead are finding teenagers with experience to go with potential.
MLS has also done its part by shedding the stigma associated with being considered a selling league. Teams are now embracing the opportunity to sell top prospects, knowing what it can do for their player development models to have academy products and first-team alumni making successful moves to Europe.
The potential talent exodus will be of particular interest to U.S. men’s national team fans, given the number of young USMNT prospects who could be on the move this winter. MLS has its non-American players who will draw interest, such as Ezequiel Barco
As we head toward the start of what should be a busy winter window, here is a look at the Top 10 MLS-based American players who could be poised for transfer moves this winter:
Ricardo Pepi
The U.S. men’s national team striker has drawn considerable interest from teams across Europe, with Bundesliga side Wolfsburg emerging as the favorite to land the FC Dallas striker’s services.
Daryl Dike
The Orlando City striker seemed destined for a transfer last summer, but no acceptable offer came through. Dike responded with a strong finish to the MLS season, and the interest in his services has increased heading into the winter, with League Championship side West Bromwich Albion linked to the USMNT striker prospect.
Miles Robinson
The USMNT centerback enjoyed a breakout 2021, earning MLS Best XI honors and developing into a regular starter in Gregg Berhalter’s defense. The interest in Robinson wasn’t as strong as some might have expected after the summer he had, but his continued success with the USMNT has gradually led to more interest, though prying him away from Atlanta United won’t be easy.
James Sands
If there is a USMNT defender most likely to make a winter move it is Sands, who is fresh off winning an MLS Cup, and is at an age where the 21-year-old should be yielding healthy bids. New York City FC has never shied away from selling players, and an MLS Cup for the trophy case should make it even easier for Sands to secure a move away.
Matt Turner
The interest in Turner should be sizeable given the breakout 2021 he just enjoyed, but it is far from a sure bet that the New England Revolution goalkeeper will make a move in 2022. The 27-year-old has stated on multiple occasions that he is not looking to rush a move and he fully understands the risk involved with making a move in 2022 as a goalkeeper. A move after the World Cup makes much more sense, but ultimately the market will decide and the right offer might be enough to tempt Turner and the Revs to consider a deal.
Cole Bassett
The Colorado Rapids playmaker was close to a transfer last summer, and there should continue to be interest in the 20-year-old, who just scored in his USMNT debut. The Rapids homegrown player was previously linked to Benfica in the summer, and while he may not have been ready to leave then, a winter move makes plenty of sense for him now.
George Bello
The Atlanta United fullback boosted his transfer stock with a good showing at the Concacaf Gold Cup, with Turkish club Fenerbahce reportedly interested. Though no deal materialized then, the 19-year-old should generate considerable interest in January given his club and international experience at such a young age, and at a position that generally costs big bucks to fill with quality.
Djordje Mihailovic
An outstanding 2021 MLS season has Mihailovic knocking on the door to a USMNT return, and it should also have teams in Europe taking notice. The 23-year-old registered a career-high 16 assists in his first season in Montreal, and Joey Saputo’s team has never been afraid to move players on to Europe.
Justin Che
The teenager spent time in Bayern Munich’s youth setup, but a transfer didn’t materialize and he returned stateside and earned some valuable experience as a starter for FC Dallas. The 18-year-old has a German passport, which would make securing a move to Europe that much easier, but FC Dallas may be looking to keep him a bit longer, especially if Ricardo Pepi is sold.
DeJuan Jones
The New England Revolution fullback enjoyed an outstanding 2021 season, finishing as one of the most highly-regarded defenders in the league. He has signed a new contract with the Revs, but that won’t keep him from a move if the right offer comes New England’s way. The converted winger isn’t naturally left-footed, but that isn’t stopping European clubs from seeing him as a viable left back option.
Which players are you hoping to see make a move this winter? Who on this list are you hoping sticks around MLS for another year? Who didn’t make this list that you believe is ready for a jump to Europe this winter?
Share your thoughts below.
It very much does shock me Miles Robinson isn’t in high demand…the dude can PLAY and his catch-up and recovery speed are lightning, and he can save himself even if he gets wrong-footed…which he doesn’t, much.
George Bello is a guy I think has some high, high upside. I saw how good he was against the Liga MX All-Stars in that All-Star game…what he was flashing was his ceiling, he needs a higher level of competition to make that his normal but there’s little doubt he can get there.
Turner might benefit from standing pat unless somebody’s willing to commit to starting him. He’s an older guy and I wonder how high a club level he might get with his so-so distribution out of the back. No doubt the guy is an elite shot stopper, though. I could see him knocking around the bottom of the Prem or the top of the Championship but would such clubs commit to starting an MLS guy?
Miles and Turner might want to wait until after they have had breakout World Cup performances:
Miles has been great but:
1. It’s against less than terrifying CONCACAF offenses. I didn’t see him face off vs. a Haaland or a Lewandoski equivalent out there.
2. He’s 24, not old but not young either. VVD was about that old when Southampton bought him from Celtic but I also don’t think he’s in VVD’s class.
3, Probably most important of all, after the World Cup teams may have a better handle on their finances. There’s still a lot of uncertainty out there. Dike got bought by WBA but they are managed by his former manager at Barnsley
and are chasing promotion. I don’t know if Miles has anyone like that who wants him in Europe unless Jesse Marsch needs a center half at Monaco (assuming Jesse gets that job).
As for Turner, these days the Euro clubs seem to be going for either the hot young keepers or the old established pros.
Having a game in the World Cup where he shuts down Brazil or England for example would be good marketing strategy.
But his first job is to win the # 1 spot from Zack because, barring injury, Turner is not getting any minutes in Qatar if they get there.