This summer has been a slow one for Americans on the move in the transfer market. Despite less than ideal playing time for players like Weston McKennie (Juventus) and Gio Reyna (Dortmund) at their clubs, they’ve yet to move although something could materialize with the window set to close next week. From the Premier League’s crackdown on spending to the uncertainty of how players could perform, there are a lot of factors at play in why moves haven’t happened yet but in preparation for the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Many members of the USMNT need to be playing high-level soccer as soon as possible, and these two years will be crucial for the team and individuals.
This summer isn’t a make-or-break one for World Cup fortunes but after last season was a wasted one for players like Matt Turner and Reyna, ensuring that they’re in the best positions possible moving forward is critical. Let’s take a look at who has already completed moves and then some players who could move before transfer windows around the world slam shut.
Mark McKenzie from Genk to Toulouse
While Mark McKenzie thrived playing for Genk, he hasn’t been able to get a consistent run in the USMNT. Part of that is due to Tim Ream’s strong performances on the left side of the defense while playing his club soccer alongside Antonee Robinson, but McKenzie also failed to impress in his chances. Now getting a move to Ligue 1, McKenzie will be challenged each week at the club level in a league where finesse is important.
Able to play in a back three or a back four, if McKenzie does well in this move it will be a boon for the 25-year-old to get another shot alongside Chris Richards as the top USMNT center back pairing. While a move to Germany may have been better, it’s hard not to like a place where he can challenge for a starting spot and have an outside chance at playing in European competition.
Grade: B
Brenden Aaronson back to Leeds from Union Berlin
While this isn’t completely a new move for Brenden Aaronson as he was with Leeds United prior to their relegation from the Premier League at the end of the 2022-23 season, it is a chance for him to earn consistent playing time. Aaronson did help Union Berlin stay in the Bundesliga after a strong end to the season but so far returning to Leeds, he has yet to start a match. With a goal off the bench in the season opener for the Whites, a start could be coming but it’s also fair to wonder if Aaronson should’ve pushed to go somewhere that he would be a central figure in the attack.
That place would need to have been a reality as opposed to a theory but returning to Leeds will be what all parties make of it. If Aaronson plays well, it’s great, but if he doesn’t play, this is a season that could set him back.
Grade: C
Gaga Slonina from Chelsea to Barnsley on loan
Only 20, Gaga Slonina is entering a stage of his career where he needs as many high-pressure minutes as he can possibly get. Given his talent level, it would’ve been expected for that to come at the Championship level, but playing matches every three to four days for a Barnsley side that are pushing for promotion is a good compromise. Slonina has gotten off to a good start for the Tykes saving two penalties in his EFL Cup debut then following it up by making seven saves in his first league start. It’ll be great if he doesn’t need to make seven saves in every match but knowing that he can is good.
After a move to Eupen that helped acclimate him to Europe, this is a move to show that he can thrive outside of Major League Soccer. There is likely still a step needed between here and the Premier League for the young keeper but time at Barnsley will show where that step will be in the future.
Grade: C+
Tim Ream from Fulham to Charlotte FC
After a great career with Fulham, Tim Ream has come to the United States to help lead the defense of a competitive Charlotte side. This isn’t the flashiest of p ickups but it’s an important one to help bring along the next generation of defenders. Ream likely won’t be involved in the 2026 World Cup, but if he is, where he plays his club soccer likely won’t matter due to how much experience he has. It’s a good move to help Dean Smith’s turnaround of Charlotte to continue to go well while also being a positive one for Ream.
Grade: A
Transfer grade: Incomplete
This group of players hasn’t moved yet but they could before the transfer window slams shut
Weston McKennie: Juventus saying that McKennie can leave the club feels like a signal that the transfer window is open. This is the second consecutive summer that it has looked like he was on the way out but reported interest from Aston Villa and FC Cincinnati hasn’t led to a move. Now there is a chance that McKennie could end up right in Thiago Motta’s Juventus squad. Following a disappointing performance for the USMNT at the Copa America, McKennie is a player who needs to impress to make sure he stays as a USMNT regular but being at Juventus in the Champions League will likely be his best chance to do so.
Matt Turner: Back on the bench for Nottingham Forest, Turner needs to play or there could be a change between the sticks for the USMNT. While he has been in this position with Arsenal before, it’s a different time for the national team now with other keepers pushing for minutes. Turner doesn’t necessarily need to stay in Europe to keep a place with the national team but he does need to play.
Gio Reyna: Following yet another lost season, Reyna is back at square one with Borussia Dortmund. He barely received any minutes on loan at Nottingham Forest and while Dortmund may have a new manager in Nuri Sahin, that doesn’t mean more playing time for Reyna. While still 21, Reyna hasn’t played a full since 2021-22 where he made 32 league appearances for the Black and Yellow. His talent is undeniable but will that matter if he doesn’t get minutes?
Tanner Tessmann: What a weird summer this has been for Tessemann. Venezia are back in Serie A but it doesn’t seem like he’ll be involved with the squad after his move to Inter fell through. He could be going to Fiorentina but that also seems unlikely and what seemed like a great situation for the 22-year-old is now quite an uncertain one. Tessmann isn’t far from getting chances with the senior team but that could slip away if he moves to the wrong club.
