USMNT On the Move: Aaronson, Weah, and others choose their next step
It's an uncharacteristically hot summer, even by football's global standards, and the US Men's National Team players have found themselves in the white-hot epicenter. The summer transfer window, that yearly circus of speculation, negotiation, and occasional theater, has not only seen USMNT stars moving to high-profile clubs in Europe's top leagues but also generating attention the world over. There's a sense of anticipation, a feeling that something big is coming.
And something big needs to come, particularly with the 2026 FIFA World Cup on the horizon. This is the tournament that not only marks football's return to North American soil for the first time in over three decades, but also a golden opportunity for the USMNT to make a statement.
The transfer market has been alive with the buzz of American names. Brenden Aaronson is going to the Bundesliga; Tyler Adams may replace Declan Rice at West Ham, and Christian Pulisic's run at Chelsea seems to be at an end.
These big transfers are important, they are vital. They're not just part of the journey towards 2026, they are the journey. They're the USMNT's opportunity to build, to grow, to establish themselves not just as participants, but as contenders.
So let’s dig into the latest transfer news.
Brenden Aaronson
Sources close to The Athletic have provided exclusive information that Union Berlin is on the brink of securing a loan deal for U.S. national team sensation, Brenden Aaronson, from relegated Leeds United. The 22-year-old midfielder, a significant acquisition for Union Berlin, comes in hot on the heels of the team's extraordinary feat last season where they not only secured a respectable fourth-place finish in the Bundesliga but also clinched a maiden spot in the Champions League.
Aaronson's exit from Leeds United, following their unfortunate relegation from the Premier League, was widely anticipated. A raft of clubs from England and Germany expressed interest in the young American, whose performances last season saw him participate in 36 out of Leeds' 38 games, contributing one goal and three assists. Before his $35m move to Leeds last summer, Aaronson gained recognition for his impressive stints with Philadelphia Union and RB Salzburg. In Philadelphia, he won the 2020 Supporters' Shield and earned a spot in the 2020 MLS Best XI after making 57 appearances.
Aaronson's sojourn to RB Salzburg in January 2021 marked a record sale for Philadelphia. The young talent quickly made an impact, guiding the Austrian team to two league titles in just a season and a half. The move to Union Berlin, thus, is another crucial chapter in Aaronson's burgeoning career, where he will share a locker room with USMNT compatriot Jordan Pefok. Notably, Brenden isn't the first Aaronson to grace the Bundesliga; his younger brother, Paxten Aaronson, joined Eintracht Frankfurt earlier this year.
Timothy Weah
Italian giants Juventus have officially inked a deal with USMNT's dynamic winger, Tim Weah, prying him away from French outfit, Lille. The 23-year-old Weah has been a mainstay at Lille since the 2019-20 season, contributing significantly to their triumphant Ligue 1 campaign in 2021.
Interestingly, the 2022-23 season saw Weah transitioning from his favorite right-wing position to a full-back role. Juventus' management perceives this versatile American as the ideal replacement for Colombian star Juan Cuadrado, whose contract with the Old Lady recently expired. Juventus, under the stewardship of coach Massimiliano Allegri, operates with a strategy favoring three center-backs and two wing-backs, a configuration where Weah, with his adaptability, could seamlessly fit in.
Weah's journey began in the Paris Saint-Germain academy, where he crafted his initial professional years. He later moved on loan to Celtic before securing a €10 million transfer to Lille. During his tenure at Lille, Weah boasted a tally of eight goals and eight assists across 107 appearances in all competitions. On international duty with the USMNT, Weah regularly features on the right wing, marking four goals to his name, including a notable one against Wales at the 2022 World Cup. His transfer to Juventus marks one of several key movements involving USMNT players this summer.
Christian Pulisic
Chelsea Football Club has confirmed receipt of a formal bid from French club Lyon for USMNT standout, Christian Pulisic. AC Milan had voiced an initial verbal offer for the 24-year-old Chelsea winger, setting the bar at €14 million (£12m, $15.3m). However, the Serie A club's ambitions have been challenged by Lyon, who have escalated their pursuit of Pulisic with a more competitive second bid.
Lyon's offer, totaling €25 million (£21.5m, $27.3m), includes a significant sell-on clause, the details of which are still under negotiation. This bid matches a price point that Chelsea might consider reasonable for the US international, as they remain wary of undervaluing their asset. The Blues share an amicable rapport with Lyon, a relationship fostered through their recent acquisition of Malo Gusto in January and a shared affinity for the project steered by Lyon's American owner, John Textor.
Since transferring from Borussia Dortmund to Chelsea in January 2019, Pulisic, who has earned 60 caps with USMNT, has notched up 26 goals in 145 appearances for the Premier League side. However, his tenure at Stamford Bridge has seen a series of highs and lows. The 2022-23 season, in particular, proved frustrating for the American, with him ranking 20th in squad minutes played across all competitions. Pundits Liam Twomey and Paul Tenorio suggest that Chelsea, under new ownership of Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital, seem ready to move past Pulisic's era, evident in their combined £100 million ($124.1m) spending on Raheem Sterling and Mykhailo Mudryk. Despite Pulisic's impressive form in the COVID-19 affected 2019-20 season, his more recent performances have failed to hit the same high notes.
Yunus Musah
AC Milan is actively negotiating to secure the signature of USMNT midfielder Yunus Musah from Valencia. A significant factor in this transfer consideration is Musah's Italian passport, ensuring that his acquisition would not consume another non-EU registration slot in Milan's transfers for the upcoming season. The 20-year-old has been a mainstay at Valencia for the past three years, having moved from Arsenal in 2019. After a year with Valencia's B team, Musah has tallied 108 first-team appearances across three seasons, netting five goals in the process.
Despite Valencia's turbulent journey in La Liga, Musah has consistently shone through, cementing his place in the US national team's regular line-up. His performance at the 2022 World Cup, where he started every match leading to the US's round-of-16 exit against the Netherlands, further highlighted his caliber. Milan's summer overhaul also extends to Musah's USMNT teammate, Christian Pulisic, whom they express interest in. The club's transfer activity also includes the finalization of Chelsea's Ruben Loftus-Cheek's deal, who will utilize one of their non-EU signings, and the recruitment of veteran goalkeeper Marco Sportiello. However, Brahim Diaz has bid farewell to the Italian side, returning to Real Madrid after three loan seasons at Milan. These transfers culminate in Stefano Pioli's ambitious vision for his team as they prepare for another Champions League journey, courtesy of their fourth-place Serie A finish in the 2022-23 season.