Transfer window quiet so far, but still several moves in the cards that could alter the USMNT
The January transfer window isn't quite what it once was. The blockbusters are generally saved for the summer now. Clubs generally use January as a time to fine-tune, whether it be by signing out-of-favor veterans or taking flyers on young stars that could help down the line. It is rare to see a landscaping move made in the winter window.
That trend looks like it may apply to Americans this winter, too. At the moment, it appears Ricardo Pepi and Antonee Robinson, the two players most linked with moves, might just be staying, but that doesn't mean there aren't some other less-heralded moves to be made that could shake up the USMNT over the next year and a half leading up to the World Cup.
Even if Pepi and Robinson do end up staying with their clubs – and there's plenty of time left for that to not be the case – there are still moves to be made. Some feature young stars looking to make their push to impress Mauricio Pochettino and the USMNT staff. Others are for players who are fighting for a legitimate starting gig. Even if the blockbusters don't happen, some of the other decisions made this window could have long-term ramifications.
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.
AFPPepi set to stay?
It's very easy to understand PSV's position in all of this. Yes, Pepi is in incredible form and, yes, he is drawing big offers from clubs in bigger leagues than the Eredivisie. PSV have a long-term plan, though, and they think there's a whole lot of value in sticking to it.
Speaking to GOAL, PSV Director of Football Earnie Stewart ruled out a January transfer for Pepi, saying that it's a non-starter for the club. At PSV, Pepi is still seen as a key part of the future. Yes, Luuk de Jong is the guy right now but, with every goal Pepi scores, he gets closer and closer to being the guy himself. PSV didn't buy Pepi to flip him at the first sign of success; they bought him with a development plan in place.
Pepi is clearly shaking that plan up. PSV obviously knew he was good, but didn't know he'd be this good. Stewart himself pointed out how much better Pepi has gotten off the ball, pointing to his intelligence as one of the key reasons he's scoring so many goals this season.
It looks like there are more Eredivisie goals to come… well, at least a few months' worth. Stewart and PSV will face a fight to hold onto Pepi for long if he keeps scoring at this rate. The club plans to be strong in all of this, though, as they look to guide Pepi to an even higher level.
As for Pepi, this looks like a win-win. If he were to move to another club, it would be a massive step forward in his career. If he doesn't, he stays at one that values him and has a plan in place to help him reach his goals down the line. From a USMNT perspective, he's scoring goals in bunches, which will always keep you in the picture.
Either way, it seems all involved will benefit from Pepi's insane goalscoring run, either now or down the line.
AdvertisementGettyRobinson, too?
Pepi doesn't seem to be the only in-form USMNT star staying instead of moving on to greener pastures. Robinson is obviously at a different point in his career at 27, but is facing a similar situation: even if he does want to move on, which we don't know if he does, Fulham surely don't want to see him go.
According to ESPN, Fulham will turn down any offers made for their star fullback this January as they expect to keep him for the rest of the Premier League season. The club wants to fight for a European place and selling their best player would directly harm that goal. The club is clearly weighing the value of Robinson's cash windfall against Europe's big payday and, right now, the club is betting on itself to go for it.
It's a bold call. A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush, after all. Yes, this sport is about more than financials but the interest in Robinson may never quite be as high as it is right now. Fulham, meanwhile, are understandably OK with that. They have a season to play out and, with Robinson in the XI, they believe that this season could still be something special.
You can't blame them, can you? Barring an offer of unfathomable value, there isn't a reason to let Robinson go midseason. So, with that in mind, expect him to keep standing out at Craven Cottage as the club looks to climb the table.
Getty ImagesMaloney ready for step up the Bundesliga ladder
Despite having just two caps to his name, Lennard Maloney is an interesting player for the USMNT. He's a legitimate, hard-tackling No. 6 playing at a high, high level, and those aren't easy to come by. It seems he's set for a slight step up, too, one that could make him an even bigger option for the USMNT.
A regular at Heidenheim, Maloney has recently been left out of the squad altogether amid transfer speculation. According to Sky, Maloney is set to join Mainz, but the key question is ? Out of contract in the summer, Maloney could just make the move for free after the season, but Mainz and Heidenheim are currently negotiating a potential winter transfer that would get him to his new club a few months early.
Whenever it does happen, Maloney will be taking a step up the ladder. Heidenheim are in 16th and look to be a real candidate to go down. Mainz, meanwhile, are in fifth, just two points behind RB Leipzig for that fourth and final Champions League spot. If all goes well, there's a chance Maloney could be playing on Tuesdays and Wednesdays next season.
How would that impact his USMNT case? Well, it surely wouldn't hurt as he pushes for a role under Pochettino.
IMGANIs it time for Tolkin to spread his wings?
John Tolkin has accomplished all you can in MLS. Well, just about. He surely wanted to lift that MLS Cup in a New York Red Bull jersey but, other than that, his rise from homegrown youngster to MLS All-Star has been pretty complete.
Now might be the right time for Tolking to spread his wings, though. According to GiveMeSport, Tolkin has drawn interest from clubs in Germany, Italy, and Belgium, proving that there's a pretty sizeable market for the 22-year-old defender. The Red Bulls rejected an offer from Holstein Kiel last summer, which certainly made sense at the time, of course. If the right offer comes in now, though? It would seem to make sense timing-wise.
It'll be near-impossible for Tolkin to surpass Robinson as a USMNT starter in time for 2026, but this is just a first step, not a final one. Tolkin is a young fullback who has boatloads of MLS experience but there's still plenty of potential there, potential that could be unlocked faster by making a big leap to Europe. It would be a big leap, too, especially considering that Tolkin's entire career has been played close to home in New Jersey.
Tolkin is currently in USMNT camp, so this may take some time to sort itself out, but he's one to watch as the window remains open.
