USMNT Transfer Watch - Movers and Shakers

Starting XI also represents Slonina. Interesting. Can't say he's made the best moves either.
https://www.transfermarkt.us/starting-xi-player-management/beraterfirma/berater/5754

 

They've also managed Justin Che's career very poorly. Bit off more than they could chew, then spat him back to a random European club who had a surplus at his position already, loaned him out immediately, & he hasn't play preferred position.

They might just primarily be about getting the chunk of transfer fees since they have limited clients. It's perverse incentives. Could use a resell of Pepi instead of having him stay to win the job in a lesser club/league before moving on.

Luis Suarez went from Groningen to big dutch club (Ajax) to big top 5 (Liverpool) at 23-24. No reason why that path isn't good enough for Rico, so long as PSV are starting him by the beginning of next season at least. Suarez wasn't a sub.

 

Slonina has only made one move.

 

You know he means the loan moves too.

 

He's a defensive midfielder, so yeah, being actually good at defending in central midfield is the key. Aged 23, he's a starter for a midtable La Liga team. That's plenty of upside.

 

The amount of interest in him (reportedly anyway) tells us what the industry thinks of him.
That kid has a lot of tools. He's only 23.

Has he lit the world on fire with the USMNT yet? No. But that's why you hire a coach like Pochettino. To unlock guys like Tillman, Johnny, etc. Put them in the best position to succeed and impact the team.

We talk about how we dont' want guys to move to big clubs and sit on benches as we approach WC26. That could be Johnny if he moves to a "big club." He's in a good spot. If he stays at Betis thru WC26, that's fine with me. As we know, money talks.

 

Former USA U20 midfielder Leon Flach (‘01) 🇺🇸🇩🇪 is officially leaving the Philadelphia Union after 4 seasons with the club. It will be interesting to see where he ends up, I expect there will be interest from MLS as well as Germany. Bundesliga club Werder Bremen were interested… https://t.co/0DZBCHYbt2

— American Ultras Talk (@ameriultrastalk) November 26, 2024

 

Flach had greatly improved his passing this past season.

 

Per Ernst Tanner, Leon decided to move back to Germany for personal reasons.
So hopefully we hear about his destination soon.

Philadelphia also chose to cut ties with two homegrown players. Matthew Real, who had a great season on loan at USL Champions Colorado Springs Switchbacks, and centerback Brandon Craig. Brandon had been on loan at El Paso this year and did OK. There are reports that Philly is still negotiating with Craig.

 

The "reports" literally being the Philly Union issued summary of roster decisions.

 

Might as well put these rumors here too.

Manchester United, Tottenham and Aston Villa are among clubs that have made ‘concrete advances’ for USMNT and PSV attacking midfielder Malik Tillman ahead of the January transfer window, per Sky Germany. pic.twitter.com/cWSDdp7YDq

— USMNT Only (@usmntonly) November 30, 2024

 

I tried to find a definition for "concrete advance". The nearest I could find is "bullshit".

United won't be signing anyone from Eredivisie any time soon given the number of ex-Eredivisie flops they have on their books.

 

That rumor comes from Florian Plattenberg of Sky Germany originally. A reputable reporter. Its silly season, though. We take everything with a grain of salt. Its Florian that used the phrase "concrete inquiries." What does concrete inquiries mean? I don't know, but it doesn't mean offers. Tillman has a very reasonable transfer release clause. HOWEVER, Florian points out that the release clause only is activated at the end of this season. So maybe interested parties will wait until the summer. We'll see.

As far as the Man United thing goes, that has more to do with bad management than anything else. If you're not signing Eredivisie players, you're limiting your marketplace.

Should I point out the former Eredivisie players on Liverpool? You can start with the guy who scored the game winning goal against Man City yesterday. Where did they sign Cody Gakpo from? PSV, for Heaven's sake.

[PSV is the best team in the Eredivisie. They're not so far ahead of now-second Ajax that they can sell their best players in this window and expect to win the title in a walk. They're 7 points up, but Ajax has a game in hand. Ajax, rather quietly I'd say, has only lost 1 game this season. 10-1-2.]

 

Since Landon Donovan is telling young kids like Pulisic and Reyna not to waste their careers not playing in Europe when they could get 300 games in MLS:

Brandon Vazquez was held back in MLS and now instead of Gladbach (Borussia Munchengladbach) he could end up with the Quakes (San Jose Earthquakes)...

Sources: San Jose Earthquakes are in preliminary talks to sign USMNT forward Brandon Vazquez from Monterrey. @CLMerlo 1st.

Talks are preliminary, nothing advanced. A couple other MLS teams interested in Vazquez as well. https://t.co/X78hLIHucc

— Tom Bogert (@tombogert) December 6, 2024

If your goal is Europe, go when you have the opportunity kids... It won't be available to you forever. https://t.co/KJUbnOfF5N

— Marcus Chairez | US/SC (@USSoccerColl) December 6, 2024

I’m not surprised or upset that San Jose is showing ambition in trying to bring in a player they believe will help them win, but this would be an epic step down for Brandon Vazquez and his admitted desire to play at the highest level. https://t.co/xuzrM2DKOx

— herculez gomez (@herculezg) December 6, 2024

 

If he can’t hold a starting position in Monterrey, what would he have done in Gladbach?

 

Don't ruin the narrative.

 

I don't know and neither does anyone else, he went there like a year later so it's not like we have some double blind scientific test with control groups and whatnot... what did the guy Gladbach bought as their Plan B when Cincy didn't sell them Vazquez do there?

 

Promising Charlotte attacker Nimfasha Berchimas is flying to #MUFC to train at Carrington next week. 16-year-old US youth international is contracted through the 2026 MLS season with a further club option of 12 months.🇺🇸

Story with @tombogert.✍️https://t.co/kqwL4P9T7C

— Ben Jacobs (@JacobsBen) December 6, 2024

Cannot transfer till he’s 18 however so any deal would be for then.

 

Vazquez will do what he wants but going to SJ in your prime after not going to Gladbach a couple years ago and telling everyone you want Europe would be sad.

 

True. But it is close enough to draw the inference.

 

Earthquakes trying to sabotage the national team confirmed.

 

It sucks for him but he just isn’t good enough. Going to gladbach and doing nothing for 12 months wouldn’t have been much better.

 

Diego Luna

EXCL: Leeds United have explored the conditions of a potential move for Real Salt Lake attacker Diego Luna, recently named MLS Young Player of the Season. Nothing to suggest any deal is imminent but interest is there. Also competition from Europe. #LUFChttps://t.co/FReuSaRrls

— Ryan Taylor (@RyanTaylorSport) December 7, 2024

 

That wouldn’t be my preferred destination for Luna obviously but not the least bit surprised he’s getting real interest.

 

Goff says Akinmboni to Bournemouth is about done (and does not appear to post to Twitter anymore, though I don’t know how to embed Bluesky posts).

https://bsky.app/profile/stevengoff.bsky.social/post/3lcr6vnerhc2u