The European transfer window is largely set to close on Sept. 1, which means its business time for both clubs and players looking to potentially improve their circumstances.
While much appears to be settled for players in the U.S. men’s national team pool, there are still some uncertainties. Will Josh Sargent – potentially the hottest striker in England’s top four divisions – make a move? Is there another about-face in regards to Yunus Musah’s AC Milan future? Also it appears as if Middlesbrough have found their solution at left back, and it’s not Max Arfsten. What’s next, then, for the Columbus Crew star?
BALLGM tracks all of the American player movements in the USMNT Transfer Notebook, a recurring feature covering the latest developments for those in the U.S. national team pool.
The European transfer window is largely set to close on Sept. 1, which means its business time for both clubs and players looking to potentially improve their circumstances.
While much appears to be settled for players in the U.S. men’s national team pool, there are still some uncertainties. Will Josh Sargent – potentially the hottest striker in England’s top four divisions – make a move? Is there another about-face in regards to Yunus Musah’s AC Milan future? Also it appears as if Middlesbrough have found their solution at left back, and it’s not Max Arfsten. What’s next, then, for the Columbus Crew star?
BALLGM tracks all of the American player movements in the Cuaderno de transferencias de USMNT a recurring feature covering the latest developments for those in the U.S. national team pool.
‘Yesterday’s price is not today’s price’
Those words from hip-hop legend Fat Joe are a fitting way to describe Josh Sargent’s current situation at Campeonato lado Norwich. The 25-year-old striker turned down the chance to sign with Bundesliga side Wolfsburg in a $29.7 million transfer earlier this summer.
While interested suitors have come in at the same price for Sargent, according to local Norwich sports outlet Pink Un, The Canaries evaluation is now higher as a result of American’s form.
“Any club knocking now better come armed with more than £22 million Wolfsburg were willing to commit to,” Pink Un editor Paddy Davitt said in a social media post.
Sargent has scored four goals in as many games for Norwich, and that, along with timing, is why the club is asking more for the striker. It could mean Sargent stays until at least January – unless a Premier League club gets desperate at the deadline.
“There’s no club remotely near that,” Davitt said. “You wouldn’t at this stage close the door, but its hard to see a scenario where Norwich do cash out on him… They might find it harder to keep him in January than they are in the present moment… Around the league, he is widely regarded as the best of his type in the division.
“There is the panic element that comes in [and a team in the Premier League] comes in and they need to go and try and get the best No. 9 outside of the Premier League in this country. Which he is.”
Recently promoted sides Burnley y Leeds continue to be linked with the striker ahead of next Monday’s deadline.
As recently as Monday,AC Milan’s Musah was linked with a move within Serie A to Atalanta in a complex transfer involving four clubs within the Italian top flight. Yet, similar to what has happened all summer, Musah walked back any speculation over a potential move.
“I am happy at Milan,” he told ESPN FC. “It is a great club. I’d love to win some great things here. It felt really nice winning the Super Cup last season, so I’d love to win more things. This is what we’re expected to do here. I am just happy here, and I am looking to work hard and be a main player in the team.”
That certainly doesn’t sound like a player pushing for a move, despite struggling for starts and minutes at AC Milan. While things can move very quickly in the transfer world, the 22-year-old has publicly said he wants to stay and fight for his minutes in a crowded, but not fully established, Rossoneri midfield.
Musah, meanwhile, was not included in the USMNT roster announced Tuesday. He said he opted to skip the summer’s Gold Cup in favor of much-needed rest.
Crew star Max Arfsten has been linked with Middlesbrough throughout August, but the club found another left back option.
The Northern Echo reported Boro have turned to Newcastle’s out of rotation Englishman Matt Targett, signaling the end of their chase for Arfsten. Targett, 29, will reportedly join the second division side on a season-long loan, providing valuable depth for a club that had utilize left wingers at full back due to the current state of the squad.
However, the Echo did add Boro are expected to resume their interest in Arfsten in the January window. Definitely one to keep an eye out for.
TRANSFER TALK
+ Stuttgart are pushing to sign Cole Campbell from Borussia Dortmund, according to Sky Sports. Campbell is reportedly eager for the move. Dortmund, though, would prefer a loan, but are open to a sell-on clause or a buyback option.
+ Winger Griffin Yow remains linked to the English Championship. Portsmouth remain interested, while Belgian side Anderlecht and MLS side D.C. United are also reportedly keeping tabs.
COMPLETED DEALS
+ Centrocampista Gio Reyna has completed his long expected move away from Dortmund, joining Gladbach.
+ Paxten Aaronson surprised USMNT fans with a blockbuster move to the Colorado Rapids. He made his debut over the weekend.
+ Tim Weah made the move to Marseille, on loan from Juventus. Clearly a sentimental return to French soccer, one that allows him to continue to retrace his father’s massive footsteps. Nostalgia aside, this is an interesting move for Weah, as he joins a team that is well-stocked with attacking talent.
+ Matt Turner returned to the New England Revolution, on loan from Lyon. On the field, the only thing that mattered this summer was finding a place to get playing time – and with New England, he’ll surely get his minutes.
+ Unlike Sargent, Malik Tillman is heading back to the Bundesliga, having completed a $47 million move to Bayer Leverkusen to serve as the club’s Florian Wirtz replacement.
+ Patrck Agyemang finalized his big move to derby County, but will be on the shelf for the first few weeks of his time in England after undergoing hernia surgery.
+ Midfielder Johnny Cardoso has signed a multi-year deal with Atletico Madrid, joining on a permanent transfer from Real Betis.
+ Caleb Wiley has completed a loan move to Watford, as he returns to the club after spending the second half of last season with them in the Championship.
+ U.S. Youth international Julian Eyestone has signed a new contract with Brentford in the English Premier League and has been promoted to the senior team for the 2025-26 season. He is expected to be a part of the U20 FIFA World Cup this fall with the USYNT.
+ Forward Damion Downs has completed a $9.5M transfer from FC Koln to Southampton in the English Championship.
+ Noahkai Banks, the 18-year-old American defender, has signed a contract extension with Bundesliga side Augsburg, keeping him at the club until 2028.
+ Defender George Campbell has joined West Bromwich Albion on a permanent transfer from CF Montreal.
+ San Diego FC has signed U.S. youth international Pedro Soma from Cornella in Spain.
GRADES: BALLGM grades every completed deal involving USMNT players
