The USMNT Transfer Notebook tracks American player movements, with latest developments for those in the U.S. national team pool
The European summer transfer window has just under four weeks remaining, and the U.S. men's national team will report in roughly five weeks for a pair of international friendlies. Across the past few weeks, there have been several transfer developments for players with high hopes for the 2026 World Cup.
AC Milan have reportedly switched gears and are now planning on keeping Yunus Musah around for the 2025-26 season amid interest from Napoli after conversations with new manager Max Allegri. However, could Antonio Conte still snatch him up this window amid uncertainties over playing time?
Then, in Germany, midfielder Gio Reyna was included in Borussia Dortmund's latest preseason traveling roster, but has been held out of each match, and expectations are that he will still leave the club this window. Meanwhile, another U.S. international has officially joined the ranks of the Bundesliga, with defender Kristoffer Lund securing a loan deal to promotees FC Koln.
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Lund secures Bundesliga move
Fullback Lund has secured a season-long loan from Italian side Palermo, joining newly promoted Bundesliga side FC Koln. Per Sky Sports, the German outfit will have an option to purchase the 23-year-old.
“Kristoffer brings exactly the profile we were looking for on the left flank. He combines defensive stability with an attacking drive and impresses with a mentality that perfectly complements our expectations for the position," said FC Köln sporting director Thomas Kessler.
"Despite his young age, he already brings valuable international experience. His dynamism gives us more options on the left side. With this signing, we’re deliberately increasing the quality and competition at left-back. This is an important piece in our squad structure.”
Lund spent the last two seasons in Italy with Palermo after joining from BK Häcken. His performances earned him his first USMNT call-up in January 2023, and he switched international allegiances from Denmark after representing them at youth levels. He has seven caps with the program, but last appeared under Pochettino in his October camp in 2024.
He previously served as the backup to Antonee Robinson, but has fallen down the depth chart in recent months. He was not named to the preliminary 60-man Gold Cup roster this spring. The Bundesliga move is a transfer that will look to see him playing more high-profile matches, while looking to revive his international career ahead of the World Cup.
“When I heard about the offer, I immediately took a closer look at the club – Köln is a big, traditional club with history and an incredible fan base," Lund said.
"I also had really good talks with the people in charge. And Köln play in the Bundesliga, which is one of the top leagues in Europe. I feel ready for that and I want to prove myself here – that’s why I chose Köln.”
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Allegri now wants Musah at Milan?
In June, Musah was the subject of admiration from Antonio Conte's Napoli, but no bid arrived. Throughout the preseason, he remained training with the and has featured in three friendlies for the club this offseason.
Reports surfaced last week that the have reignited their interest in the 22-year-old, though, and Napoli are reportedly ready to approach Milan over a transfer. Neapolitan newspaper via MilanPress, reported that Napoli's hierarchy of president Aurelio De Laurentiis, manager Antonio Conte, and sporting director Giovanni Manna held a transfer market meeting in Ischia, where they discussed bringing Musah into the fold to compete for their midfield.
However, after a midweek meeting between new manager Allegri and Musah, the American could stay at Milan this season after all.
Journalist Matteo Moretto reports that Allegri is now looking to build his midfield around the 22-year-old, and that a rumored fee of $29M (€25M) would not be enough to even open conversations.
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Reyna's status remains uncertain
Reyna remains the subject of transfer speculation across Europe. A report recently claimed that Borussia Dortmund and Parma are nearing a deal for his signature, but there's been no advancement on the transfer, and various reports state that the Serie A side and BVB remain apart on a transfer fee.
Meanwhile, Reyna was left out of Dortmund's last two preseason match squads due to what the club described on social media as "load management."
If a transfer to Parma were to come to fruition, Reyna would need to get it over the line soon if he wanted to be fit for the start of the Serie A campaign. The begin their season on Aug. 17 in the Coppa Italia against the winner of Pescara and Rimini. Their Serie A season begins on Aug. 24 against Juventus.
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Others to watch
TRANSFER TALK
+ Winger Cole Campbell remains the subject of interest in the Bundesliga, with Stuttgart emerging as a frontrunner. However, BVB are reportedly contemplating keeping him at the club or only letting him depart on loan.
+ 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.
+ Winger Josh Sargent reportedly turned down an approach from Bundesliga side Wolfsburg. He remains the subject of interest from teams around Europe.
+ Defender Bryan Reynolds has been linked with a move from Westerlo to Hoffenheim in the German Bundesliga.
COMPLETED DEALS
+ 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.
+ Goalkeeper Matt Turner completed a transfer from Nottingham Forest to Lyon in France, and has subsequently been loaned to the New England Revolution on a one-year deal.
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