The USMNT Transfer Notebook tracks American player movements, with latest developments for those in the U.S. national team pool
Things change quickly in the transfer market. Teams often leave their business for the final few days of the window, playing a game of chicken to see which side of a deal will blink first. Because of that, there's often a flurry late, and that flurry can certainly include some big surprises.
For now, though, that flurry seems like it might not happen for U.S. men's national team stars. All is generally quiet on the transfer front, and multiple Americans look like they could be staying where they are.
For some, that's good news. Continuity is good and January transfers are often difficult. For those players, the move could be to stick it out and reassess in the summer, when things are a bit less chaotic.
Others, though, will want those moves to come together. Playing time is paramount, and staring down another few months on the bench won't exactly feel good. Several players find themselves in need of moves, and those moves could come together rather quickly over the next week or so.
So what happens before the window shuts? No one knows. Could be plenty, could be nothing. Either way, there's still plenty to keep an eye on as several key American stars find themselves in the rumor mill.
GOAL tracks all of the American player movements in the USMNT Transfer Notebook, a weekly feature covering the latest developments for those in the U.S. national team pool.
Getty Images SportReyna remains in limbo
Things have changed at Borussia Dortmund, but will they change for Gio Reyna? That's the big question once again, isn't it?
Nuri Sahin is gone. Dortmund dismissed their now-former coach after a tough run of form, turning to Mike Tullberg on an interim basis starting with this past weekend's match against Werder Bremen. Even under the new coach, though, Reyna didn't feature, as a red card to Nico Schlotterbeck forced Tullberg to rethink his substitution patterns in the 2-2 draw.
As things stand, due to injuries and the coach's decisions, Reyna has played just 159 Bundesliga minutes. As folks on social media pointed out, it's fewer than Augsburg youngster and rising American star Noahkai Banks, who just made his debut earlier this month.
Everything is up in the air at Dortmund right now, and so much will depend on this new coach. It's a familiar story for Reyna, though. Counting interim's Tullberg is his fifth coach since breaking through in 2020. He hasn't quite been able to earn the trust of any of them.
Will those Milan links pop back up? Is there another club that can convince Dortmund to part ways with the 22-year-old midfielder? Could a new coach finally offer Reyna the change he needs? There is still a lot of uncertainty heading into the final days of the window.
AdvertisementGetty Images SportWill new coach impact transfer-linked Tessmann?
Reyna isn't the only USMNT midfielder getting a new head coach. The same applies to Tanner Tessmann, who is midway through his first season at Lyon.
Lyon boss Pierre Sage has been dismissed, with former AC Milan boss Paulo Fonseca among those linked with the job. Fonseca, of course, was a huge believer in Tessmann's USMNT teammates Christian Pulisic and Yunus Musah so, if he is indeed the guy, there will be no American bias there.
The move comes at an interesting time for Tessmann, who has recently been linked with a transfer just six months into his Lyon stay. Lazio and Napoli are among the clubs that have been linked with Tessmann, who previously shined with Italian side Venezia in Serie B.
Still, it feels unlikely that Tessmann would be dying to move. The 23-year-old midfielder hasn't gotten as much playing time as he would have wanted, totaling just 304 Ligue 1 minutes spread across 10 appearances and three starts, but that's part of adjusting to life at a big club like Lyon. His move has also allowed him to feature in the Europa League, where he's played five times so far this season.
Still, the situation is worth keeping an eye on, even if Tessmann has plenty of reasons to stick it out under a new coach.
AFPA hint regarding Pepi?
PSV Director of Football Earnie Stewart told GOAL that Ricardo Pepi isn't going anywhere, and there's no reason to doubt him. He is the guy who ultimately makes the decision after all.
There's more evidence to prove him right, though, as Pepi gears up for another Champions League chance.
PSV are set to face Liverpool in the finale of this phase of the Champions League, and Pepi is set to start. PSV boss Peter Bosz confirmed as much on Tuesday as he'll hand Pepi another crack at Europe's top club competition. The American was chosen to do PSV's pre-match press conference, too.
"Of course, it's a wonderful game to play, but whatever my role is, I will always be there," Pepi said. "I'm ready for the chances I get and it's up to me to take them."
Pepi has taken every chance he's been given. He's second in the Eredivisie Golden Boot race with 11 league goals despite hardly starting. He's added five more in other competitions, too, which is why big clubs have been swirling to sign the USMNT striker. It seems more and more likely that they'll have to wait as Pepi embraces more opportunities as they come with PSV.
Getty Images SportAnother suitor emerges for Cardoso
Johnny Cardoso has found himself at the center of rumors for quite a while, and now another team has seemingly emerged.
According to Relevo, Wolves are the latest club to be eyeing the Real Betis midfielder. The Premier League side reportedly made an approach to buy him this winter, but a deal is very, very far off. Cardoso, of course, has also been linked to Tottenham, who reportedly have a right of first refusal on a deal for the midfielder.
The reported state, though, Betis are holding firm on their evaluation and are unwilling to sell, making it unlikely Cardoso moves this winter. It makes sense when considering both his importance to the team and the recent departure of Assane Diao to Como in this window.
It's a sign, though, that the market for Cardoso is heating up. He has no shortage of suitors and, heading into the summer, it seems he'll have some choices to make. Those choices will be massive on the road to the 2026 World Cup as the midfielder looks to finally push for a starting XI spot.