The summer transfer window is now closed for (most) European leagues with another group of players completing the pathway from Major League Soccer to Europe.

Notable transfers include:

• Djordje Petrovic from New England to Chelsea ($17.5 million fee plus add-ons)
• Taty Castellanos from NYCFC to Lazio ($16 million plus add-ons)
• Brenner from FC Cincinnati to Udinese ($10 million plus add-ons)
• Cristian Casseres to Toulouse (more than $1 million, including add-ons)
• Jose Cifuentes from LAFC to Rangers (undisclosed)
• Mamadou Fall from LAFC to Barcelona B (loan with purchase option)

There were also notable non-European league deals: Gabi Pereira (Qatar, Al-Rayyan), Lucas Zelarayan (Saudi Arabia, Al-Fateh) and Luiz Araujo (Brazil, Flamengo).

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Where does that leave players like Cade Cowell, whose move from San Jose Earthquakes to Bologna never materialized? Or a player like Kai Wagner, who is out of contract with the Philadelphia Union at the end of the year? Even though the summer window only just ended, it’s never too early to look at who has their eyes on the next opportunity.

Time to move this winter

Cade Cowell – San Jose Earthquakes

It was time for Cowell to move this summer, but the Earthquakes couldn’t come to terms with Bologna over a potential deal the player was pushing for. Bologna had a competitive offer, but San Jose didn’t feel it reached his value.

Cowell, 20, has made over 100 appearances for the Quakes first team. He has also become a regular squad member for the U.S. national team, but he hasn’t quite taken the leap yet. The longer it takes in MLS, the less valuable offers will be from European prospects.

Julian Carranza – Philadelphia Union

Despite serious interest from Europa League-level clubs, the Philadelphia Union is glad to have kept Julian Carranza through the summer window, though they’re not totally out of the woods. Olympiakos had a bid rejected, and the Greek transfer window doesn’t close until next week.

At any rate, he’s more likely to leave this winter.

Carranza, 23, has blossomed in two years with the Union, a perfect stylistic fit to their high-pressing system. The Argentine forward has 26 goals and 12 assists across 55 regular season appearances with the club (4,240 minutes).

Philly signed Israeli international Tai Baribo as another starting-level option up top and to prepare for life after Carranza.

Thiago Almada – Atlanta United

Atlanta United still prefers to keep Thiago Almada but is much more likely to negotiate a deal in the winter (when they can attempt to replace him properly) than the final days of the summer transfer window when Ajax were interested.

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Still, any deal would likely have to be around a new league record (currently $27 million) for Atlanta to consider. I only write “around” because perhaps there are ways to structure it with add-ons and sell-on percentage on top of a base fee that isn’t exactly a new record. The value will have to be there.

In addition to Ajax, Almada has been linked (lightly) with Napoli. The 22-year-old has nine goals and 13 assists in 25 matches this season and is on the MVP race’s shortlist.

Brandon Vazquez – FC Cincinnati

FC Cincinnati was adamant this summer that they wouldn’t sanction deals for key players as they chase multiple trophies. Cincy still has a sizable lead in the Supporters’ Shield race and will enter the playoffs among the favorites for MLS Cup.

Brandon Vazquez still has an interest in Europe from Borussia Monchengladbach, Hoffenheim and Cadiz. This will likely be revisited in the winter when Cincy will be more likely to consider offers.

Cincy transferred Brenner to Udinese for around $10 million plus add-ons. I’d expect the talks for Vazquez will also be in that neighborhood.

Vazquez, 24, hasn’t hit the same heights this year (13 goals, two assists in 29 appearances across all competitions) as his breakout 2022 season (20 goals, eight assists in 37 games) but is still highly rated abroad.

Alvaro Barreal – FC Cincinnati

Another FC Cincinnati star, I expect the market to heat up around Alvaro Barreal this winter.

Ajax were interested in the left wingback this summer, but, like with Vazquez, Cincy was clear that they wouldn’t entertain a deal until the winter.

The 23-year-old has thrived as a wingback under head coach Pat Noonan since the team’s coaching change ahead of the 2022 season.

Coco Carrasquilla – Houston Dynamo

The Houston Dynamo braced for transfer offers for Coco Carrasquilla that eventually never came, even after signing another central midfielder in preparation for a potential departure. That’s great news for the Dynamo, who keep their star man for the U.S. Open Cup final this month as well as their push for the playoffs. They will, again, expect offers this winter.

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Carrasquilla, 24, received the Golden Ball at the Gold Cup this summer, given to the tournament’s best player, for leading Panama to the final.

Contract expiring

Miles Robinson – Atlanta United

The status of Miles Robinson remains the same: His contract expires this winter, there’s plenty of interest in Europe and no agreement with Atlanta United on a new deal.

The longer this goes, the more likely he is to leave. Atlanta hasn’t wanted to increase its offer to make Robinson a designated player (more than $1.65 million a year) like Nashville did for Walker Zimmerman. If that remains the same, Robinson is likely to leave.

“We’re having great conversations,” technical director Carlos Bocanegra said a month ago. “There’s no pressure. Hopefully, he stays, and we can help build around him for the future … That’s something we can’t control. We’re focusing on the now.”

PSV and clubs in Germany and England have explored the option to sign Robinson. He can negotiate and is free to agree to a pre-contract agreement with teams abroad for January.

Kai Wagner – Philadelphia Union

Out of contract this winter, star left back Kai Wagner has indicated that talks between his camp and the Philadelphia Union over a new deal have stalled.

“It’s probably my last year in Philadelphia now,” Wagner told media on Sunday. “It was not my decision, but I have to take it.”

Wagner, 26, has been the best left back in MLS for a few years now and was linked with moves back to Europe that never quite materialized. He’ll be a hot commodity in free agency in MLS, and staying in the league is a real possibility. Still, opportunities to return to Europe are likely to be on the table.

The attacking left back has made 162 appearances with the Union, helping lead the club to their first-ever trophy in 2020 (Supporters’ Shield), and has also been integral to their stay near the top of the league for the last few years.

Kellyn Acosta – LAFC

Kellyn Acosta’s contract with LAFC expires this winter and he has been public in his desire to head to Europe. Will it happen in January?

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“I think for me to get further along my career, I need to be in Europe,” Acosta told The Athletic’s Jeff Rueter in 2021. “That’s going to help me take that next step to be where I want to be and be a part of the national team for years. I’m hoping for a huge year and hoping to make that move soon.”

Acosta, 28, was a key part of LAFC’s MLS Cup and Supporters’ Shield-winning double in 2022 and has 58 caps with the USMNT. He has spent his entire career in MLS, first with FC Dallas then the Colorado Rapids before LAFC. This winter will be the first time he’s a free agent.

If the deal is right

Noel Buck – New England Revolution

New England Revolution breakout midfielder Noel Buck received a call-up to the England U-19 national team this month and could head to England full-time for club soccer in the future, perhaps as soon as the winter.

Buck, 18, has made 24 appearances for the Revs this season as he’s won a regular role in the midfield. Transferring to an English club becomes much easier with a UK passport. Clubs have interest but there have yet to be formal talks, as it was clear Buck wouldn’t move until the winter at earliest.

I asked Noel Buck if he thinks should’ve gotten more chances within the US system by now.

“I feel like they haven't really given me the time of day to be completely honest. And you know, when I get called to an England camp, you know, it's an honor for me.

You know, wearing… pic.twitter.com/mQNUfoVrtY

— Seth (@SethMan31) September 3, 2023

Caleb Wiley – Atlanta United

Another highly-rated young player, Atlanta United and U.S. international left back Caleb Wiley, has plenty of suitors in Europe.

Wiley, 18, has been the subject of bids over the last few windows, but he continues his development with Atlanta. Will this winter be when the bids rise to a point where they can’t be ignored?

The left back has made 27 appearances for Atlanta this season.

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Jack McGlynn – Philadelphia Union

Philadelphia Union and U.S. youth international standout Jack McGlynn could go this winter but could also continue his development in Philadelphia, where he’s become a regular under head coach Jim Curtin.

McGlynn, 20, has had interest in England and elsewhere but no serious offers to consider yet. He was a central figure for the U.S. U-20s over the last cycle, culminating with a big performance at the U-20 World Cup, and is a known commodity.

Jeremy Ebobisse – San Jose Earthquakes

English Championship side Coventry City came in late in the summer transfer window looking to sign Jeremy Ebobisse, but at the stage of the window when San Jose wouldn’t be able to replace him, the two sides didn’t reach a deal.

Other clubs could come back in the winter, so we’ll see. It’s a tough spot for Ebobisse at his age (26) in that he’s extremely valuable to San Jose but is unlikely to command a big fee from European clubs, who spend more money on young players in MLS. A deal is possible, but the cost of a move isn’t obvious.

Ebobisse has 25 goals and five assists over the last two seasons with San Jose (61 appearances, 5,335 minutes).

Jesus Ferreira – FC Dallas

Jesus Ferreira could arguably be in the top category of it being time this winter, but with his form, importance at FC Dallas, continued development through the years and stature in the league, it’s not quite a straightforward case.

The financial combination of the transfer fee FC Dallas is likely asking for, plus matching or improving Ferreira’s salary, limits their options.

Club America and an English club were two who could have afforded him in the summer and considered it, but ultimately never made an offer to FC Dallas.

It’s easy to forget Ferreira is still only 22, given he’s already made 147 first-team appearances for Dallas and 23 caps for the USMNT (and his polarizing position to the fanbase).

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There is still plenty of time, but it needs to be the right situation/offer for both Ferreira and Dallas.

Alan Velasco – FC Dallas

Argentine attacker Alan Velasco hasn’t entirely found the same consistent performance for FC Dallas that Almada has seen in Atlanta, but he has nearly as much talent.

Velasco, 21, has only four goals and two assists in 27 appearances this season but remains a player likely destined for Europe.

Being called into the Argentina national team squad (including several Olympic-eligible players like himself to be with the first team) this month should also help raise his profile.

Owen Wolff – Austin FC

Austin FC midfielder Owen Wolff broke through as a regular starter with his club and was a regular for the U.S. at the U-20 World Cup. A move to Europe will be next, but it is a matter of offers and opportunity.

PSV, which has a partnership with Austin and is led by American executive Earnie Stewart, has reportedly expressed interest.

Wolff, 18, has 20 appearances for Austin in regular season play this year and featured in all five games for the U.S. at the U-20 World Cup.

Juan David Mosquera – Portland Timbers

The Portland Timbers initially signed Juan David Mosquera despite interest from Europe, which has only grown with his development in MLS.

Mosquera, now 21, debuted with the senior Colombia national team in January. He’s still learning the defensive side of the game more and more but is already a dynamic, attacking threat from right back.

Portland believes it’s a great place for Mosquera to continue to develop before eventually landing in Europe.

Aidan Morris – Columbus Crew

Columbus Crew central midfielder Aidan Morris has enjoyed a breakout 2023 season under Wilfried Nancy.

Morris, 21, returned in 2022 from a torn ACL that kept him out all of 2021 and is right back on track. He’s got four goals and two assists from a box-to-box midfield role this year and made four caps with the U.S. national team.

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Morris just signed a contract extension through 2026, so Columbus won’t be under much pressure to move him unless the offers hit their valuation.

DeJuan Jones – New England Revolution

Another window, another round of interest in New England Revolution left back DeJuan Jones.

Stuttgart, FC Augsburg and Standard Liege were the most recent clubs to check in on the American left back, but no talks became serious. Jones is thought to prefer a move to a top-five league. Stuttgart has long had him on their radar, so he could be a realistic option in the future if an offer ever comes.

Jones, 26, has 134 appearances for the Revolution, an integral part of the 2021 Supporters’ Shield winning group.

Facundo Torres – Orlando City SC

Whenever Facundo Torres ends up in Europe, it will likely be on a very lucrative transfer for the Orlando City star.

Torres had a slow start to 2023 but has kicked on this summer, quietly now up to 11 goals and three assists in 24 regular season appearances. The 23-year-old Uruguay international has 13 caps for his country and has been again called up to the national team for World Cup qualifiers this month.

Olivier Mbaizo – Philadelphia Union

Olivier Mbaizo requested a transfer this summer after the U.S. rejected visas for his family. If that situation isn’t resolved by the winter, Mbaizo will again push to leave the Union.

The Cameroon international initially joined the Union’s second team in 2018 and has been a first-team regular since 2020.

Chris Brady – Chicago Fire

Taking over as starting goalkeeper after Gaga Slonina’s transfer to Chelsea this winter, U.S. youth international Chris Brady will be the next Chicago goalkeeper export to Europe.

The Fire had already rejected a transfer offer for Brady before the 2022 season before he even made his MLS debut.

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Brian Gutierrez – Chicago Fire

Chicago homegrown attacker Brian Gutierrez won a starting spot this season (at times at the expense of Xherdan Shaqiri) and has thrived for the Fire.

He would have been at the U-20 World Cup if his club hadn’t declined the call-up. The future is bright for Gutierrez and the Fire has shown they’ll play ball in transfers (Slonina and Jhon Duran transferred this winter) if the offer is right.

(Photo by Logan Riely/Getty Images)

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