The USMNT Transfer Notebook tracks American player movements, with latest developments for those in the U.S. national team pool
Transfer season is here. The January transfer window is always one of the most chaotic periods on the soccer calendar, and several U.S. men's national team stars could be on the move this month.
Right now, Ricardo Pepi is the main focus. The USMNT striker is drawing interest from clubs across Europe, and there’s no sign of it slowing down. With every goal Pepi scores for PSV, more eyes turn his way—and with more attention comes the likelihood of a bigger transfer fee when his inevitable move arrives.
But Pepi isn’t the only USMNT star making headlines. It’s still too early to predict whether this January will be hectic or quiet for American soccer fans, but the early signs point to plenty of activity. From players chasing well-earned moves up the ladder to others seeking more playing time elsewhere, there’s no shortage of rumors to track and stories to follow.
GOAL will track all of the American player movements in the USMNT Transfer Notebook, a weekly feature covering the latest developments for those in the U.S. national team pool.
AFPPepi saga just getting going
The Pepi sweepstakes is just getting started.
GOAL has learned that a top-five team from France has reached out to PSV to discuss a potential transfer. Nothing has been decided yet, but it's very clear that a market for Pepi is beginning to develop.
Last week,GOAL reported that a Premier League club has offered $20.7 million for the PSV striker. It's a big sum, but PSV believe that they will be able to get a huge offer for the in-form forward. No player commands fees quite like a striker, after all, and, right now, Pepi is putting up numbers that match up pretty well with the very best in Europe.
Nothing is imminent, but it's clear that big clubs are swirling. Pepi's breakout season, scoring 10 goals despite being limited to just five starts with PSV, has put clubs in big leagues on high alert. Eventually, one will make the right offer that works for both Pepi and PSV.
While there's no guarantee that the offer will come this winter, it's becoming not a matter of if but a matter of when that right offer comes.
AdvertisementGETTYPulisic future uncertain? Probably not
It seemed like this would be one that we wouldn't really need to discuss. The rumor mill says Pulisic is set to sign a new contract at Milan, after all. Things change quickly, though, and there's been a pretty big change at Milan this week.
Paulo Fonseca is out. Sergio Conceicao is in. What that means for Pulisic? Well, that's still anyone's guess.
Pulisic is used to this. Conceicao will be the 12th head coach he's played for in his career. It's an astounding stat considering Pulisic is just 26. He's never had the luxury of coaching consistency, unfortunately.
Will this latest coaching change impact his new contract? Possibly not, but it's still something worth examining as transfer season begins. The ink isn't on the paper just yet and, until it is, Pulisic's future is at least somewhat undecided.
Getty Images SportRobinson's tough choice
Stay or go? Antonee Robinson may have to decide this winter.
The rumors have been going crazy lately, and rightly so. Robinson has been fantastic this season, with only Mohammed Salah and Bukayo Saka providing more assists than his seven in the Premier League this season. He is undoubtedly one of the Premier League's best players this season and his quality suggests he should be at a bigger club than his current one in Fulham.
What will do? On one hand, his value will never be higher. On the other, the club can realistically push for European soccer, particularly with Manchester United and Tottenham floundering. It's a tough spot to be in, although it ultimately will come down to Robinson's wishes, too.
Could a club like Liverpool or Manchester City convince him? That's the big question and, as this window gets going, there's no real indication either way.
Getty Images SportAll quiet on the Reyna front
The silence is a little bit deafening. As the transfer window opens, there really are no rumors out there surrounding Gio Reyna.
We have some history to compare this to. Last year, there were all sorts of reports linking Reyna all over Europe. Clubs France, Italy, Spain and, ultimately, England were rumored before he signed with Nottingham Forest. At the time, it felt like Reyna was spoiled for choice. He didn't make the best one, as his time at Nottingham Forest set him back, but there were options there.
This year? Radio silence, and it's unclear if that's something to read into. Is Reyna's team quietly working on what would be a career-defining move, or are things quiet because there's nothing going on? A lot will be determined over the next few weeks.