da jogodeouro： A huge number of American stars are facing up to summers of speculation regarding their futures – but which will be in new homes come September?
da pinup bet： It's going to be a busy summer for Christian Pulisic, Folarin Balogun and the rest of the U.S. men's national team's young stars. And it's not just because of international duty, although the USMNT's participation in both the Nations League and Gold Cup will certainly lead to many players suiting up for the U.S. with trophies on the line.
No, it's a summer where many American stars find themselves at a crossroads on the club level. Transfer season is upon us, and there are plenty of American players with uncertain futures as the window prepares to open.
Some will make mega-money transfers this summer, having earned them with standout play. Others will tumble down the ladder a bit after failed moves. Some will go on loan or to a new league or return to a parent club. There are plenty of scenarios at play here.
With that said, GOAL has you covered with a look at which USMNT stars could be playing for new clubs next season:
(C)Getty ImagesFolarin Balogun
The USMNT's newest star looks set for a new club. Balogun set Ligue 1 ablaze while on loan with Reims, scoring 20 goals for the French side. Those goals are what make his USMNT commitment so damn exciting. The U.S., finally, has a goalscorer.
However, it remains to be seen what club will benefit from those goals next season. A return to Arsenal is possible, although they seem set with the likes of Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah at striker. AC Milan are the club that has been most heavily linked, although their crosstown rivals Inter have been mentioned too.
RB Leipzig, Marseille and Monaco have also been listed as options, while Premier League clubs may also look to make a move for a player that has no shortage of suitors heading into the summer.
AdvertisementGettyChristian Pulisic
Chelsea have a bloated squad, and Pulisic needs minutes. It isn't hard to put two and two together here.
Pulisic has been linked with plenty of clubs, with Juventus the most recent team said to be in the market for the American winger. AC Milan and Napoli have been named as potential suitors, as have Newcastle, who have money and the Champions League on their side.
It'll all come down to what Pulisic wants. Is he willing to take a step back to try and take two steps forward, or does he have the confidence to move laterally in an attempt to prove that it's Chelsea, not him, that is missing out?
It'll be one of the transfer sagas to watch, and one that will have a lasting impact on a player that is still the face of the USMNT.
GettyWeston McKennie
Well, we know Mckennie won't be back at Leeds, that's for sure. McKennie will, at least temporarily, return to Juventus, a club that is dealing with its own crisis at the moment. Leeds' relegation ensured that McKennie's move would not become permanent, not that anyone involved would want it to after his failed loan spell.
Prior to his Leeds move, McKennie had been linked with Fulham and Aston Villa, the latter of which earned a European place next season. Brighton are also said to be interested, offering McKennie another Premier League option should he choose to remain in England.
Few would blame him if he opted to go somewhere else, either back to Italy or Germany, perhaps. The Leeds experiment was a total failure, and now McKennie is tasked with getting his next move right after missing the mark with his winter loan.
GettyTyler Adams
The only member of the Leeds' American trio to come out of this season looking better than he did when he went in, Adams will have options this summer.
Much will depend on what price Leeds sets, of course, but Adams is far too good for the Championship. Manchester United are among the clubs linked, but minutes could be hard to come by for Adams at Old Trafford.
Several top-10 Premier League clubs will no doubt be interested, as Adams is a prime candidate to remain in the Premier League. The question, ultimately, will be where, but whichever team gets him will get a solid, high-level No.6 that has proven himself in the Premier League, Bundesliga and Champions League.