The USMNT Transfer Notebook tracks American player movements, with latest developments for those in the U.S. national team pool
The summer transfer window is very much about completing deals. Fans clamor for that big post to hit their timelines, the one that confirms a move is official. Not every proposed transfer comes together, though. That's a theme for the USMNT.
Over recent weeks, several notable national team players completed big moves. This week, however, several are collapsing. For various reasons, two massive transfers have not come to fruition, pushing both goalkeeper Matt Turner and striker Josh Sargent back to square one as they ponder their futures for club and, of course, country.
Let it serve as a reminder, then, that these things are fluid. Changes of heart can happen. Circumstances can shift. Ultimately, transfer season is the walking of a fragile line and, sometimes, deals simply fall through.
GOAL 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.
Getty Images SportTurner to Lyon off?
From the beginning, there were a many of ifs, ands and buts surrounding Matt Turner's proposed move to Lyon, though some of the unsettled questions seemed to find answers. The club won its fight to stay in Ligue 1 and, as a result, everything seemed to be back on track.
Apparently not.
According to L'Equipe, Lyon are pushing hard to cancel their proposed $9.42 million move for the goalkeeper. Lawyers are reportedly hard at work, trying to find ways for Lyon to back out of the contract. The club is reportedly concerned about its finances and has now determined that the fee is too significant for a goalkeeper that may or may not be their starter.
At the minimum, it seems that the bridge has been burned. All of this has gone wrong.
So, again, Turner is back to the drawing board. There are clearly legal considerations at play here, but it doesn't seem like they end with Turner feeling particularly valued at Lyon. Is the club forced to go through with it before loaning him out? Can everyone walk away from this and move on? What clubs, if any, can come back in for Turner now?
Those are all very important questions for Turner, who, more than anything, needs playing time. It likely won't come at Lyon, which could be a blessing or a curse. Perhaps he can now land somewhere more stable, a home where he's clearly wanted. There's still work to be done, though, and not just by Lyon's lawyers.
AdvertisementGetty Images SportSargent turns down Bundesliga return
Josh Sargent appeared set for a return to the Bundesliga with Wolfsburg. He would head back to Germany as a different player than the one who left Werder Bremen, having established himself as a force in England's Championship.
Turns out he won't head back, after all. According to The Athletic, Sargent's proposed move to Wolfsburg has fallen through – and it was Sargent who called it off. Reports out of Germany suggest otherwise, indicating that it was a financial decision. Either way, it doesn't seem like it's happening.
That news comes amid interest from elsewhere, with several Premier League sides reportedly among those that are in pursuit of the striker. Burnley and Leeds have been linked and, with both in the Premier League this season, they seem obvious steps up for a player who scored 15 goals in 32 games in the Championship last season.
Sargent, like Turner, is a player who needs to build momentum. He was left out of the USMNT's Gold Cup squad this summer and, despite his club successes, hasn't scored for the USMNT since 2019. A big move will get him back in the picture, but he'll also need to start scoring for Mauricio Pochettino's side going forward as he pushes for a national team role.
Getty Images SportReyna to Parma rattles on and on
The Gio Reyna transfer saga was always going to be the big story of American soccer's summer. Yes, other moves have been and will be made, involving players worth more and more consequential to the USMNT. Reyna, though, is different. All eyes are on him and what he does next.
The answer seems to be Parma. According to Fabrizio Romano, Reyna has agreed to personal terms with the Italian club, leaving only one final step. That, of course, is the hard one as Parma and Dortmund haggle over a fee for the young USMNT midfielder. Per Sky Sports, there are still several million dollars between the clubs, which does leave the door for all of this to fall apart.
A reminder, then, that no transfer is official until there's a photo of a player holding a shirt at the training ground – and even then, double-check to make sure. The Reyna saga is ongoing and, while Parma may be the final destination, it's not done yet.
Getty ImagesOthers to watchTRANSFER TALK
+ Winger Tim Weah has been linked with a move from Juventus to Marseille in Ligue 1. The 25-year-old reportedly "wants" the move, and a "basic agreement" has been secured between the two parties. However, still nothing official.
+ San Diego FC are nearing a deal to sign youth national team midfielder Pedro Soma, according to GiveMeSport. Soma most recently featured for Barcelona B on loan from Cornella in Spain.
+ Stuttgart are pushing hard 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 sale with a sell-on clause or a buyback option.
COMPLETED DEALS
+ 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.
GRADES:GOAL grades every completed deal involving USMNT players