Tag: transfers

Report: Borussia Dortmund decides to sell Gio Reyna

The USMNT midfielder’s time at Dortmund may be up

Gio Reyna’s time may be up for good at Borussia Dortmund.

According to a report from Bild, the Bundesliga side has decided to sell the U.S. national team midfielder this summer.

Dortmund’s call comes on the heels of a 2023-24 campaign in which the 21-year-old hardly saw the field. Reyna featured sporadically at Dortmund in the first half of the season before a disappointing half-season loan at Nottingham Forest.

Reyna looked like a future superstar early in his Dortmund career, but injuries and a lack of consistent starting opportunities derailed his progress at the Bundesliga power.

For his part, Reyna told The Athletic this month that he was unsure if he would stay at Dortmund in the upcoming season or look for a new club once again.

“There’s been discussions and I’m not quite sure what’s going to happen,” Reyna said. “I just want to go somewhere that is at the highest possible level, but still play an important role, get consistent minutes and be an important player for any team, whether it’s at Dortmund or somewhere else.”

Reyna struggled for playing time under Edin Terzić, but the manager stepped down earlier this month in a move that appeared to boost Reyna’s chances at Dortmund.

Nuri Şahin, who was an assistant under Terzić, has assumed Dortmund’s head coaching position.

Prior to joining Forest on loan, Reyna signed a contract extension with Dortmund through 2026.

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USMNT midfielder Morris joins Middlesbrough from Columbus

The 22-year-old midfielder has made the jump to Europe

Middlesbrough has confirmed the signing of Aidan Morris on a transfer from the Columbus Crew.

The 22-year-old midfielder joins the Championship side in a reported $4 million move, and has signed a four-year contract.

Morris has become one of the highest-rated midfield prospects in MLS in recent years, having made over 100 appearances for the Crew and won two MLS Cups despite his young age.

A fixture with U.S. youth national teams, Morris made his senior USMNT debut in January 2023 and has earned five caps thus far.

“He suits our style of play, he’s strong, he likes to get on the ball, and he plays off both feet,” said Boro head coach Michael Carrick.

“He’s a good age, but he’s already had a taste of success and he has a good amount of experience. We’re excited to work with him.”

Morris was called into the most recent U.S. pre-Olympic training camp, and looks to be a solid bet to compete in the games in France next month.

“Watching Aidan’s growth as a player and person during his time at the Crew has been a true privilege, and we greatly appreciate his dedication to the club and our city,” said Crew general manager Issa Tall.

“Aidan has always been focused on learning and improving, and he’s an exceptional role model for our academy players. We are proud of what Aidan accomplished individually and with our club as he made a significant impact in the Crew’s history. He always aspired to play in Europe and earned the opportunity, and we look forward to him further displaying his form and character as he joins Middlesbrough.”

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Source: FC Cincinnati makes bid for USMNT star McKennie

Could the USMNT star be heading back to his home country?

U.S. men’s national team midfielder Weston McKennie will have several options if leaves Juventus this summer, and they won’t all be from Europe.

A source tells Pro Soccer Wire that FC Cincinnati has made a bid for McKennie, with the MLS side willing to go as high as $15 million in an effort to secure the USMNT mainstay as a Designated Player.

FCC is understood to be one of several MLS sides interested in McKennie, who is set to enter the final season of his contract with Juventus.

Talks between McKennie and Juventus over an extension have reportedly hit a dead end, and the Bianconeri now appear to be open to selling the Texan this summer rather than lose him for free in 2025.

McKennie was recently rumored to be nearing a move to Aston Villa as part of a swap deal, but that transfer now appears to be off due to McKennie’s failure to reach an agreement with the Premier League side.

This past season for Juventus, McKennie played in 38 matches across all competitions and amassed nearly 3,000 minutes of playing time, recording a career-best tally of 10 assists.

FC Cincinnati is currently second in the MLS table but leads the league in points per game. The Ohio side sees McKennie’s possible addition as a major boost for its aim to win both MLS Cup and the Concacaf Champions Cup.

McKennie came up through the FC Dallas academy, but has never actually played in MLS. As an 18-year-old, the midfielder turned down a homegrown contract offer from FCD in favor of a move to German side Schalke.

Pro Soccer Wire has reached out to FCC for comment, and this article will be updated if there is a response.

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Turner exit talk grows as Nottingham Forest nears another goalkeeper signing

The USMNT starter’s time at the City Ground could already be over

Could Matt Turner’s time at Nottingham Forest be over after just one season?

That appears to be increasingly likely, with reports stating the U.S. men’s national team goalkeeper is set to be offloaded as the club nears yet another new goalkeeper signing.

Both Fabrizio Romano and The Athletic have reported that Forest is closing in on a deal for Corinthians goalkeeper Carlos Miguel, with the Premier League side having made a bid equalling his €4 million release clause.

As the 25-year-old Brazilian nears an arrival, The Athletic said Forest is willing to listen to offers for Turner and fellow goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos.

Alan Nixon from The Sun added that Forest is willing to sell Turner before the season starts, with multiple clubs in Europe interested in the 29-year-old.

If Turner moves on, it would represent a third club in three seasons for the New Jersey native. Turner spent just one season with Arsenal after joining from the New England Revolution in the summer of 2022.

Turner moved to Forest last summer in a £10 million move and after a promising start, the American’s time at the City Ground was blighted by a series of high-profile errors.

The shot-stopper was benched not once, but twice, with the second time seeing him lose his spot for good as Forest signed Matz Sels from Strasbourg in February.

After he was benched a second time, Turner admitted that he may ultimately have to “move backwards” if things didn’t work out for him at Forest.

Despite a tough club season, Turner is still set to be the USMNT’s starter at the Copa América, which will begin on Sunday with a match against Bolivia.

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USMNT Olympic prospect Tessmann reportedly close to Inter transfer

Tessmann could be on the brink of a huge transfer, with the Serie A champions talking to Venezia about a move

U.S. Olympic hopeful Tanner Tessmann may be on the brink of a massive summer transfer.

Gianluca Di Marzio has reported that Serie A champions Inter have started transfer talks with Venezia over the 22-year-old.

Tessmann was virtually ever-present for the Venice-based club as it clinched promotion from Serie B this season, playing alongside fellow U.S. under-23 midfielder Gianluca Busio.

The Texas native scored seven times for Venezia, including a spectacular long-range strike against Palermo during the promotion playoffs.

Per the report, Inter and Venezia met on Wednesday, with discussions moving towards the Nerazzuri acquiring Tessmann and then loaning him back to the Venetians for the 2024-25 season.

Tessmann’s performance didn’t just catch Inter’s eye. Rumors have connected Bologna and Torino to interest in signing the box-to-box midfielder, while Venezia was said to be ready to offer a contract extension.

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McKennie reportedly close to Aston Villa move as part of swap deal

McKennie could be back in the Premier League, and on a side playing Champions League soccer to boot

Weston McKennie could be going back to the Premier League, this time on a permanent basis.

Sky Sport Italia reported on Tuesday that the U.S. men’s national team midfielder could be leaving Juventus for Aston Villa as part of an unusual — at least, for European soccer — multi-player trade.

Per the report, which has since been backed up by multiple outlets, Juve is in talks to send McKennie, wide man Samuel Iling-Junior, and between €18-20 million to Villa in exchange for Brazil midfielder Douglas Luiz.

While the reports caution that the deal is not done, Gianluca Di Marzio has claimed that McKennie’s camp has already agreed to contract details with the Birmingham-based club.

Despite an impressive season that saw McKennie post 10 assists as a full-time starter, Juve has seemed set on moving the USMNT regular out the door.

A March contract offer reportedly involved asking the 25-year-old to take a pay cut, and the Italian giants may have been rushing to get something for McKennie this summer rather than losing him on a free transfer when his contract ends after the 2024-25 season.

Juventus reportedly made an improved offer in April, though McKennie rejected that as well amid rumors of interest from clubs in MLS and Saudi Arabia.

Aston Villa move could benefit McKennie

A move to Villa could be a positive development for McKennie. Unai Emery led the club to a fourth-place finish this past season, getting the Villans into the Champions League for the first time.

With Luiz moving as part of the rumored deal, McKennie would be a frontrunner to start in the Villa midfield alongside John McGinn and Youri Tielemans.

McKennie’s prior spell in the Premier League was a difficult half-season spent on loan with Leeds United in 2023. Leeds ended up being relegated, while McKennie struggled for good form amid multiple coaching changes.

However, this past season with Juventus proved that McKennie could be a consistent starter at a top club. Per USMNT manager Gregg Berhalter, McKennie returned to Turin to find he didn’t even have a locker, with the club seeming to have moved on.

McKennie battled his way into the starting lineup in the season’s first few weeks, and by season’s end had totaled 2,950 minutes in all competitions for the Bianconeri.

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San Diego FC signs Mexico star Lozano as first Designated Player

The MLS expansion side has made a big splash in the transfer market

San Diego FC has made a major splash in the transfer market, signing Mexico star Hirving “Chucky” Lozano as the club’s first Designated Player.

Lozano will remain with his current club PSV for the rest of 2024, and will then link up with SDFC in January ahead of the club’s first MLS season in 2025.

The winger has signed a four-year contract through the end of the 2028 season, with two option years.

“We are excited to make history as we officially welcome ‘Chucky’ Lozano to San Diego FC as the club’s first Designated Player,” said SDFC CEO Tom Penn in a club release.

“’Chucky’ is a world-class talent, and we couldn’t think of a better star to be the face of our club and represent our region. We are thrilled to have him join our club as we look to build a team that will challenge for trophies. ‘Chucky’ is one of the most decorated Mexican internationals in the world, and we look forward to seeing him shine in San Diego and MLS in 2025.”

Lozano, 28, came up through Pachuca’s academy before becoming a star with the first team. He moved to PSV in 2017, helping the club win an Eredivisie title in 2017-18.

The winger then joined Italian power Napoli, where he won the 2019-20 Coppa Italia and Serie A in 2022-23. Lozano returned to PSV ahead of last season, helping the Dutch side to yet another Eredivisie title.

On the international level, Lozano made his senior debut for Mexico in 2016 and has since earned more than 70 caps. His goal against Germany at the 2018 World Cup announced his arrival on the international stage and helped El Tri to an upset win over the defending champions.

“It’s an honor to join San Diego FC as the club’s first Designated Player,” said Lozano. “It’s exciting to be part of history as we build a club that will compete for championships in MLS. In every country I have played, I always strive to leave a mark, and making an impact in San Diego and MLS is very important to me.”

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Paxten Aaronson likely to spend 2024-25 on loan, says Eintracht Frankfurt

Aaronson’s next step looks like it will involve another loan away from Eintracht Frankfurt

Eintracht Frankfurt still has plans for U.S. men’s national team prospect Paxten Aaronson, but his next step appears to be another loan away from the Bundesliga outfit.

The 20-year-old spent the back half of the 2023-24 season on loan with Vitesse. According to Eintracht Frankfurt sporting director Markus Krösche, the club seems set to find a similar arrangement for next season.

“We will find a solution for Paxten Aaronson, which will probably involve loaning him out again,” Krösche said at a post-season press conference.

Aaronson’s loan to Vitesse was a success in some important ways for his development. The New Jersey native appeared seven times for Eintracht in Bundesliga play, but totaled just 95 minutes, starting just once. The club found him more playing time in the Europa Conference League, with Aaronson playing 188 minutes.

However, after agreeing to a loan just before the transfer window closed, Aaronson became nearly ever-present for Vitesse. Aaronson, who is considered highly likely to go to this summer’s Olympic games, started his new club’s final 14 league games, scoring four goals in the process.

Aaronson played 1,254 out of a possible 1,260 minutes during his time with the Arnhem-based side.

Despite that personal success for Aaronson, Vitesse is probably not the club Eintracht has in mind for his next loan. The Dutch federation hit the club with an 18-point penalty relating to its links to Roman Abramovich, the Russian oligarch who remains under international sanctions.

Vitesse would have eventually been relegated from the Eredivisie based on its point total, but the penalty guaranteed its place in the second tier next season.

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USMNT defender Robinson addresses transfer rumors after outstanding Fulham campaign

It sounds like Robinson is happy to carry on at Craven Cottage

Antonee Robinson’s excellent season at Fulham may have sparked interest from other clubs, but the U.S. men’s national team left back doesn’t sound like he’s pushing to make a move.

In an interview with The Athletic, Robinson looked back on a campaign in which he was arguably the best player at Craven Cottage.

That success, paired with his increased importance to the USMNT, has set the rumor mill spinning as the 2023-24 Premier League season reached its conclusion.

However, Robinson just completed the first season of a five-year deal with Fulham, and the 26-year-old isn’t exactly agitating to leave the Cottagers.

“I want to keep on developing. I’m very settled here, I love the club. It wasn’t a difficult decision to sign,” said Robinson. “I signed the deal because I was very happy at Fulham.”

Chelsea, Liverpool, and AC Milan are some of the biggest names linked with the left back after a campaign that saw him compared favorably to the top players at his position in the Premier League.

Robinson didn’t come out and tell those suitors to leave him alone, but it seems clear that his first thoughts remain with Fulham.

“Interest from other [teams] is great,” explained Robinson. “Obviously it comes down to, if someone wanted me enough to pay what Fulham would want, and if Fulham saw that as a good idea, then I’d leave.

“But until that happens, and I have no idea if it would, I’m just looking forward to the Copa [América] and then starting next year with Fulham, pushing on, and trying to help the team get to even better finishing spots.”

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Real Betis midfielder Cardoso addresses transfer rumors amid links to European giants

The midfielder has been linked with the likes of Barcelona and Atletico Madrid

Real Betis midfielder Johnny Cardoso has denied that he is looking for a transfer this summer following a report of interest from some of Europe’s biggest clubs.

Last week, Diario de Sevilla said that La Liga giants Barcelona and ​​Atlético Madrid were eyeing the U.S. men’s national team midfielder, as well as Borussia Dortmund, RB Leipzig, and unnamed clubs from the Premier League and Serie A.

The 22-year-old only joined Betis from Brazilian side Internacional in December, moving to La Liga in a transfer worth a reported €6 million.

But Cardoso’s performances with the Andalusian side have apparently already convinced some of Europe’s top clubs that he may be worth a large investment.

Cardoso spoke to Spanish radio station Onda Cero on Wednesday, and insisted that his “head is in Betis” as rumors of an impeding exit swirl.

“I arrived here a short time ago. I am very happy,” the midfielder said. “My head and my goals are here at Betis. I try to continue working hard and develop well at the club.”

Asked directly if he would leave Betis ahead of next season, Cardoso replied: “No. My head is in Betis and I leave the conversations for my agent.”

Cardoso added that he was very happy with how quickly he’s adjusted to one of the world’s top leagues, where he’s started 12 of his club’s last 14 games.

“I did not expect such a quick adaptation,” the New Jersey-born midfielder said. “I am very happy with everything. All my teammates, technical staff, the club have helped me a lot with the adaptation. We have a lot to develop.”

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