Ahead of the transfer window closing, GOAL US grades for the biggest summer moves involving USMNT stars
The summer transfer window, the time for clubs to do big business, is coming to a close after this weekend. With a World Cup on the horizon, every decision will get extra scrutiny, especially for the U.S. men's national team stars looking to represent their team next summer.
Transfers are always under the microscope – doubly so in a World Cup year. High risk and high reward. It can mean more money, more prestige, a World Cup spot – all are there for the taking when players take a big swing on the transfer market. It's been an eventful summer for the USMNT as players seek to make the right decisions on the club level.
GOAL grades every major completed deal involving USMNT players.
Get the MLS Season Pass today!Stream games nowGetty Images SportSept. 1: Yunus Musah (Atalanta, on loan from AC Milan)
For Musah: Seemingly a no-brainer, as he heads to a club in a much better situation that can also offer him a more realistic path towards playing time. For as flawed as Milan have been since Musah's arrival, he never fully convinced under any of the four managers he played under. Perhaps he can at Atalanta, a Champions League participant that has generally been better than Milan these last few years. Can Atalanta finally be the club that unlocks Musah's limitless potential? Musah is betting on it as he gets a fresh start in a very good situation. Grade: A
For Atalanta: At the very least, a good depth option, but one that could, best-case scenario, turn into a bargain via their $29.2 million purchase option. Atalanta are in a new era with Gian Piero Gasperini now at Roma, but the standards will stay the same under new boss Ivan Juric. In Musah, he has a player who can play either as No. 8, No. 6 or as a wingback. It's up to him to figure out which and, ultimately, how to utilize a young player that still has so much room to grow. Grade: B
For Milan: Fine to move on from Musah, who didn't seem to be in new coach Max Allegri's plans. To loan him to a direct rival with no requirement to buy? That's risky, and it could come back to bite Milan. If Musah succeeds, Atlanta's success could come back to harm Milan. If he fails, Milan are back on the hook for him as they try and do this again next year. Overall, the only reward is that potential transfer fee next year, but that's not guaranteed, is it? Grade: D
AdvertisementGetty ImagesAug. 23: Gio Reyna (Borussia Monchengladbach, $8.25 million)
For Reyna: A step back, but not as big as many would have thought. Reyna opted to remain in the Bundesliga, despite options elsewhere in Europe, and will now join up with longtime friend Joe Scally at Gladbach. It's a good level to leap to, too, as Gladbach are an established midtable Bundesliga team, albeit one without any true top stars in the attack. Reyna will have a chance here, but nothing is guaranteed. Could he have been a bit safer in his pursuit of playing time? Maybe, but, if this does work out, he'll be playing at a very good level. Grade: B
For Gladbach: As sporting director Roland Virkus said, there's a risk to Reyna, but talents like the American don't land themselves at Gladbach too often. That's why they're taking that risk, despite his injury history and lack of development in recent years. If Reyna comes good, he's the type of player they can sell for significantly more money as a 25 or 26-year-old. Even now, though, the 22-year-old midfielder seems to be a piece that can make the team better, and he comes at a relatively cheap price. Grade: A
For Dortmund: Dortmund finally admitted it was time to move on. Years ago, there were hopes that Reyna could join Erling Haaland, Jude Bellingham, and Jadon Sancho among the club's massive exports. Instead, they get a fee that won't even hit the above number unless incentives are met. It'll be a tough pill to swallow, and Dortmund don't have to swallow many of them. This time, though, for various reasons, a player didn't develop how they wanted, and this is the fee that is the result when that happens. Grade: D
Getty Images SportAug. 21: Paxten Aaronson (Colorado Rapids, $7 million)
For Aaronson: Oh boy, this is a risk. In the short term, maybe it isn't a huge one, as USMNT manager Mauricio Pochettino clearly doesn't see MLS as a hindrance for any player in the national team. For his development, though, it's tricky because Aaronson seemed so close to a legitimate European breakout. He dominated in the Eredivisie last season for an okay team, but, instead of climbing the ladder, he headed back home to MLS. Now, there is a benefit to that as while the pressure to start won't be there, the pressure to perform will be. Aaronson now can't just be a piece; he has to be a star. Maybe that'll help his USMNT case. Grade: C
For the Rapids: They probably can't believe their luck. American stars come back to MLS all the time, but few do so at just 21 and, if they do, it's because they failed abroad. Aaronson surely didn't. If anything, he looked ready for a step up. Now he's a Rapid, giving Colorado a young, star playmaker to build around, and perhaps even sell for triple what they paid in a few years. It's a statement signing for the Rapids, who are now tasked with filling out the team around Aaronson as their centerpiece. Grade: A+
For Eintracht Frankfurt: Dino Toppmoller, Frankfurt's head coach, wasn't dying to get rid of Aaronson. In fact, he welcomed him as a competitor for minutes. When Aaronson asked to move on, though, the club was willing to help him, with Toppmoller going so far as to say he hopes to welcome him back someday. While that may or may not happen, Frankfurt still did make a small profit on the 21-year-old midfielder, even if he never reached the heights with the club that many expected because of this big decision. The club has emerged as a top-tier talent developer, having previously sold Hugo Ekitike, Randal Kolo Muani, and Omar Marmoush for big money. For them, it's onto the next one. Grade: B
GettyAug. 6: Tim Weah (Marseille, on loan from Juventus)
For Weah: Clearly a sentimental return to French soccer, one that allows him to continue to retrace his father's massive footsteps. Nostalgia aside, this is an interesting move for Weah, though, as he joins a team that is seemingly already pretty well-stocked with attacking talent. There are minutes to be earned, of course, whether as a winger or wingback, and Marseille are set to compete in the Champions League this year. Ultimately, it will depend on what kind of role Weah can carve out. Grade: B
For Marseille: It's easy to see why the Ligue 1 club would want Weah, particularly in this loan-to-buy format. For very little up-front cost, the club is getting a player capable of playing all over the field as they prepare for a season where they'll compete on multiple fronts. At the very least, Weah will provide competition for multiple positions on the field and, in the best-case scenario, will win one of them to make the team better. It's a relatively low-risk move for a club with plenty of ambitions. Grade: A-
For Juventus: So ends a pretty ugly transfer saga, one that led to Juve taking shots from Weah's representatives. On the field, Juve should be relatively fine, having brought in both a star attacker in Jonathan David and a new defender in Joao Mario, so no real worries in that regard. Realistically, the club would have probably preferred to get the fee for Weah up front, but once it was pretty clear the U.S. international was leaving, a deal was always going to get done. Grade: C
