Assessing the USMNT key players and contenders whose club futures have been in doubt

Ahead of the summer transfer window, uncertainty swirled around the USMNT.

A sporting director had just been hired, but there was a vacancy still on the coaching staff and, soon, a second interim to take over the team. Then there was the reality that no fewer than a dozen key pool players based in Europe were facing uncertain futures at club level.

Within a few months there was clarity surrounding most of those issues. Gregg Berhalter was confirmed to return as head coach, another Nations League title was safely secured in the cabinet and several key transfers — including that of star forward Christian Pulisic — were over the line.

Yet more moves are still in the air. Here The Athletic looks at the latest on the busy summer in the world of the USMNT.

Moves that have already happened…

Christian Pulisic —AC Milan (from Chelsea)

After being pushed to the periphery at Chelsea, Christian Pulisic left the London club for AC Milan. Pulisic had just a year left on his contract, which helped facilitate the move (and make it affordable for Milan).

Pulisic won a Champions League with Chelsea and enjoyed some special moments, but due to his own injury record and a revolving door of managers, consistency proved elusive. At Milan, he will seek to establish himself as a regular starter at a big club once again.

The 24-year-old will either line up on the opposite flank to Portuguese star Rafael Leao or play through the middle behind a center forward. Milan qualified for the Champions League once again this season after advancing to the semifinals last time out, and is expected to be in the Serie A title chase. – Bogert

Pulisic takes on Aurelien Tchouameni in Milan’s friendly against Real Madrid in Pasadena (Photo: Matthew Ashton – AMA/Getty Images)

Brenden Aaronson — Union Berlin (on loan fromLeeds United)

Aaronson is trading the Championship for the Champions League and is going to a domestic league that may better suit him. All in all, his season-long loan to Union Berlin from Leeds United is a great move.

Aaronson, 22, appeared in 36 of Leeds’ 38 games last season as they were relegated from the Premier League while cycling through three managers. Included as part of his €25million (£21.4m; $27.7m) transfer last summer were two relegation release clauses — one of which permitted Aaronson to leave on a free loan to a top division. Outside of Berlin, Fulham was among the clubs who wanted to sign him.

Berlin made it clear Aaronson would be a key signing and an important part of the starting XI. A return to the Champions League is critical as well — Aaronson excelled in the competition with RB Salzburg in 2021-22, when his performances convinced Leeds to make him a priority transfer target.

When Aaronson left the Philadelphia Union for Salzburg, several Bundesliga clubs were interested in signing him. The general style of the league, and specifically that of Berlin’s transition-based pressing ethos, should suit him. – Bogert

Aaronson (right) battles with Rapid Vienna’s Roman Kerschbaum (Photo: Andreas Gora / picture alliance via Getty Images)

Tim Weah —Juventus (from Lille)

After a few seasons, including a surprise Ligue 1 title-winning campaign in 2020-21, Tim Weah left Lille this summer having been acquired by Juventus for €12 million (£10.3M; $13.3M).

Weah’s versatility created opportunities for him to secure minutes for Lille, but it meant he had little consistency. Signed as a forward, he played both fullback positions more than anywhere else, as well as making some appearances on either wing.

At Juventus, Weah will likely be used as a wingback. It’s not ideal considering he plays as a vertical winger for the USMNT, but he should be attacking plenty from that position. – Bogert

Weah in training with Juventus in Santa Clara, California (Photo: Loren Elliott/Getty Images)

Ricardo Pepi — PSV (from Augsburg)

Ricardo Pepi’s record transfer from FC Dallas to Augsburg turned out to be a disaster, with zero goals across 16 appearances (mostly from the bench). However, he was able to make a quick exit. Dutch powerhouse PSV Eindhoven acquired Pepi this summer after the player made clear his desire not to return to Augsburg.

Pepi had an excellent season on loan at Groningen, with 12 goals in 29 appearances. He remains in the Dutch top flight but will be fighting for a title at PSV, not against relegation like at Groningen.

The 20-year-old has acclimated himself quickly in preseason — another welcome difference to this transfer than his initial move to Augsburg, coming mid-season in Germany. – Bogert

Potential moves still to come…

Tyler Adams — Leeds United

A stellar debut season in England for Tyler Adams was cut short by hamstring surgery in March, a crucial blow for Leeds United’s fight against relegation. The club’s demotion was confirmed on the final day of the season, as it finished 19th and will spend 2023-24 in the Championship.

The expectation is Adams will depart, but Leeds will not sit back and let one of their best players leave without a fight. The club’s new American owners, 49ers Enterprises, have made keeping the 24-year-old an absolute priority, and manager Daniel Farke would ideally like to build a team around him as he plots an instant return to the top flight.

Adams acknowledges the crowd after Leeds’ relegation in May (Photo: Oli Scarff / AFP via Getty Images)

Adams’ performance and stylistic fit in the Premier League will make him an attractive option for any club outside the top six that can afford him. He also spent two and a half seasons at RB Leipzig and his style fits well with the Bundesliga, but German clubs will find it difficult to compete with Premier League clubs’ offers both in terms of transfer fee and wages.

Once he is fully fit, Adams and his representatives will have a decision on their hands and no shortage of options, including another season in Yorkshire. – O’Keeffe

Weston McKennie — Juventus

There had been a belief McKennie was one of several players deemed surplus to requirement by manager Max Allegri, after the midfielder returned following his loan spell at Leeds. However, despite initial suggestions he would be left behind on Juventus’ U.S. tour, McKennie did fly out with the club to his homeland.

Juventus’ new Sporting Director Cristiano Giuntoli wanted to dispel the rumours, insisting McKennie was part of his and Allegri’s thinking. “McKennie out of the project?” he said. “That’s never been said.”

McKennie, back at Juventus, trains in Los Angeles, California (Photo: Daniele Badolato – Juventus FC/Juventus FC via Getty Images)

But he has plenty to do on tour if he is to impress Allegri after a disappointing second half to last season in the heat of an ultimately unsuccessful Premier League relegation battle.

Those close to McKennie do not see a Juventus exit happening quickly this summer. His salary is considerable and could be an issue for interested clubs, meaning his focus remains on persuading Allegri to give him a chance despite the ambiguity.

That does not mean he will sit tight and merely accept a fringe role. But any potential move is more likely to happen towards the end of the transfer window in September. –O’Keeffe

go-deeper

GO DEEPER

Weston McKennie returns to the US with Juventus and questions over his future

Folarin Balogun — Arsenal

With his international future resolved, the new USMNT international is facing a key period to decide where he will play club football in the coming season.

Balogun trained separately from the Arsenal squad during Monday’s session in Los Angeles, where the Premier League club are on a pre-season tour, as he nursed a foot injury.

It meant he missed the 5-3 victory over Barcelona having featured against MLS All-Stars in Washington last week and then sitting out the loss to Manchester United on Saturday in New York as an unused substitute.

His future is uncertain, with Arsenal looking for £50 million ($64.4m) if they are to sell Balogun.

Balogun celebrates with Gabriel Martinelli at Audi Field in Washington (Photo: Stefani Reynolds / AFP via Getty Images)

Balogun returned to Arsenal following a productive loan spell at Ligue 1 side Stade de Reims, where he scored 21 goals in 37 matches.

Asked whether Balogun has a future with Arsenal, having attracted transfer interest from clubs including Inter Milan, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta replied: “We will see. First of all, he needs to be fit and play minutes.”

The Athletic ’s David Ornstein has reported that Balogun wants to be a first-choice striker wherever he plays next season, which is unlikely at Arsenal with Gabriel Jesus and others in place. He also reported Balogun does not want to go on loan again, with a permanent transfer the preference. Inter’s rivals AC Milan, RB Leipzig, Marseille and Monaco are also interested. – O’Keeffe

Yunus Musah — Valencia

Musah had a low-key end to what was a disappointing season for Valencia, which finished 16th in La Liga. Musah was left out of the starting line-up for two of their final three games under new coach Ruben Baraja.

He contributed no goals or assists during the campaign, but that has not diminished the memory of his impressive displays for the USMNT at the World Cup in Qatar, and he remains in demand.

West Ham have monitored him and Chelsea were believed to be interested in January. If either returned to test Valencia with an offer it remains uncertain whether the Spanish club would resist, despite valuing Musah and believing he has plenty of room to flourish further.

Musah has three years remaining on his deal at the Mestalla, so Valencia has a strong hand in any potential negotiations. The club had been asking €40 million (£34.3M; $44.2M), being aware of the commercial and marketing edge he offers in the North American market.

However the club’s financial situation means they must bring money into the club this summer.

Musah is challenged by Carlos Clerc of Elche in April (Photo: Aitor Alcalde/Getty Images)

AC Milan has been in negotiations with Valencia, and Musah — who has an Italian passport having spent much of his childhood in Italy — is believed to be open to that move. The clubs have been unable to agree on a fee, however, although a bid of around €25 million (£21.4M; $27.6M) would most likely prove acceptable. – O’Keeffe

Sergiño Dest — Barcelona

The defender will be given every opportunity to impress Barcelona manager Xavi after his spell on loan at AC Milan last season.

“I have to prove myself,” the 22-year-old told The Athletic earlier this month. “I’m fully focused on myself at the moment. It’s up to me. I feel like I can do it. My mindset is to stay here and to have a really nice season with Barca.”

Spain’s champions are certainly in need of further strength at right back. Although the team’s defence was one of last season’s great successes, centre-back Jules Kounde played the position most regularly and has since expressed his desire to return to his natural spot.

Without a pure right back, Dest knows that his return from a season-long loan at San Siro comes at a good time.

“(Xavi) told me: ‘OK, I’ll give you a fair chance to prove yourself.’ So that’s what it is at the moment,” Dest said. “He told me: ‘I think you have qualities but it’s up to you, you have to show me.’ And I fully agree.”

Dest (left) in action against Arsenal in Inglewood, California (Photo: Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Dest was loaned to Milan on deadline day last September, but things did not go to plan. He made just eight Serie A appearances (only two of them as a starter) and by the halfway stage of the campaign, the Italian club had already decided not to exercise its option to make the move permanent.

There has been previously reported interest from several Premier League clubs but, for now, Dest will look to take full advantage of that clean slate at Camp Nou. –O’Keeffe

Zack Steffen — Manchester City

Steffen has been clear that he plans to leave Manchester City this summer, whether on a permanent deal or another loan.

“I don’t think I’ll go back,” Steffen told the Philadelphia Inquirer in March. “No, I want to be playing. Although I had a great time at City and I love those guys, and it’s obviously an amazing club, but I don’t really have any plans to go back.”

Steffen, 28, spent last season on loan with Middlesbrough in the Championship. They failed to win promotion, losing in the playoffs, and announced Steffen as one of the players who would be departing this summer. Steffen was acquired by Manchester City in January 2019 for around $7.5 million (£5.8M) up front, with add-ons potentially to take the fee up to $10 million.

There are options for a loan or permanent deals elsewhere in England as well as Germany, where he spent 2019-20 on loan with Dusseldorf. Yet the fact he underwent knee surgery at the end of last season is a complicating factor in Steffen’s hopes for a move. – O’Keeffe

Malik Tillman — Bayern Munich

On loan at Rangers from Bayern Munich, Malik Tillman had an impressive season in Scotland.

His deal included a purchase option that the Glasgow club attempted to trigger, only for Bayern to cancel the clause; a decision which reportedly cost them a £1 million compensation payment to Rangers.

However, Tillman did not travel with Bayern’s squad for their pre-season tour of Japan, and Rangers remain keen to sign him permanently.

It is little wonder that manager Michael Beale is a fan. Tillman scored 12 goals and provided five assists in 43 appearances across all competitions for the Scottish club, but a hamstring injury picked up in the Scottish Cup semi-final defeat to Celtic ended his season and the loan spell in April.

Aberdeen players attempt to knock Tillman off the ball (Photo: Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

His contribution at Rangers has put him on the radar of other Bundesliga and English Premier League clubs after the German-born player was named the Scotland PFA Young Player of the Year and Rangers Young Player of the Year. – O’Keeffe

Ethan Horvath — Nottingham Forest

Horvath spent last season on loan at Luton Town and played a significant part in the club’s unlikely promotion to the Premier League. Horvath started 44 games for Luton with a rate of 0.84 goals against per 90 minutes.

Luton had the option to make the loan permanent and, considering his influence, it was perhaps surprising that they decided against signing Horvath this summer. The 28-year-old has returned to pre-season training with Forest, whom he joined from Club Bruges in the summer of 2021.

However, his long-term prospects for regular minutes at the City Ground are uncertain. Horvath only made six league appearances during his first season, with Brice Samba emerging as the club’s No. 1 as they won promotion to the English top flight.

Horvath leaps to claim during the Championship playoff final against Coventry (Photo: Adrian Dennis / AFP via Getty Images)

This summer Forest wants to complete a permanent transfer for Dean Henderson, who impressed for them on loan from Manchester United last season.

But their failure to do so thus far has not resulted in opportunities for Horvath to play. He has not started any of Forest’s friendlies so far, with manager Steve Cooper preferring 22-year-old George Shelvey. – O’Keeffe

Auston Trusty — Arsenal

After an excellent loan to Birmingham City last season, in which he was named the Supporters’ Player of the Year, Auston Trusty remains with Arsenal during preseason.

The defender started 44 of Birmingham’s matches in the Championship last season, chipping in four goals. He is unlikely to be in Arsenal’s first-team plans.

Rangers have been linked with Trusty, but there has yet to be much noise around his future. If no permanent deal is found, Arsenal could facilitate another loan. After his performances last year, there is sure to be plenty of Championship clubs who would be interested in his services. Arsenal could keep him around as an emergency center-back as well if they so choose. – Bogert

Trusty played for Arsenal against Nurnberg earlier this month (Photo: Alex Grimm/Getty Images)

Bryan Reynolds — AS Roma

Bryan Reynolds remains in limbo as securing an exit from Roma proves complicated and slow.

Reynolds is close to a deal with Westerlo, where he would become the Belgian side’s club-record signing after a successful loan last year, but final agreements have yet to be reached on all fronts. The right back, who turned 22 this summer, had five assists in 27 league games for Westerlo last year. It was his first consistent run of playing time since his initial break into senior soccer at FC Dallas in 2020.

Roma agreed a deal with West Ham earlier this summer, which would have included a loan to Sparta Prague for the first season, but Reynolds wanted more stability. He has made only eight appearances in all competitions for the Italian club, playing just one Serie A minute under Jose Mourinho.

A permanent deal this summer is the priority. – Bogert

Reynolds playing for Roma in 2021 (Photo: Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)

Taylor Booth — Utrecht

Taylor Booth wrapped up a breakout season with FC Utrecht with two goals and four assists over 24 appearances, which earned him his USMNT debut in March.

The versatile midfielder has returned to Utrecht for preseason, amid reported interest from Manchester United and PSV, where he would replace Xavi Simons and join Pepi. There are still five weeks left in the window to sort his future, if it is to lie outside of Utrecht.

Booth taking a penalty for Utrecht during the Eredivisie Conference League Playoffs in June (Photo: Hans van der Valk/BSR Agency/Getty Images)

Booth, 22, came through Bayern Munich’s academy (after the early part of his youth at Real Salt Lake) before heading to the Netherlands last season. – Bogert