Several USMNT stars will have to make tough choices ahead of the January window – stay with their current club, or leave?
Transfer season is upon us and, for several U.S. men's national team stars, it could be monumental. There are moves to consider, and for some, getting the right opportunity at the right club could be the difference between selection for the World Cup, or no World Cup.
Such transfer decisions matter, both in the short and long term. Take too big of a swing and you can find yourself on the bench. Fail to capitalize and a move may never come to fruition. Several USMNT stars will have to make tough choices this month ahead of the January window: should they stay where they are at the club level, or should they seek greener pastures?
These decisions depend on a variety of factors: money, fit, ambition, playing time, among others. GOAL looks at several USMNT stars that could be on the move, and assesses whether the time is right.
AFPRicardo Pepi
It's a tricky one. Out of all of the potential transfers on this list, Pepi's might just be the most complicated. Here are the facts: he's scoring at an absurd rate at PSV. Despite that, he's still not starting. Pepi, in his limited minutes, is clearly getting better and taking big leaps forward – so what could he do with real playing time?
GOAL has learned that a Premier League club has made a big bid for the PSV star, but is the timing right? Can Pepi compete at that level? Are PSV wasting a potential superstar and, if so, is now the right time for them to cash out?
We'll have to see how the market moves and if a big offer forces everyone's hand. Right now, it's hard to imagine PSV selling for anything less than an absurd offer, instead opting to give Pepi what he wants and needs: more playing time. Even so, that absurd offer might just come in and, if that happens, all bets are off.
VERDICT: Stay
AdvertisementGetty Images SportGio Reyna
Reyna is back and fit again and, despite scoring a massive goal, he's still clearly not in Dortmund's starting XI. The American was limited to just a cameo in the weekend's 3-1 win over Wolfsburg, making it abundantly clear that he's still not the guy at the club. That's despite a fantastic goal against Hoffenheim, one that was, due to both injuries and a lack of playing time, his first goal for Dortmund in more than a year.
Reyna made a big move last year, going to Nottingham Forest. That proved to be a mistake. It was the wrong club selection at the wrong time, and Reyna can't afford that again. Whether it's a transfer or loan, Reyna needs guarantees this time around. There's no more time to waste.
Dortmund don't seem ready to offer the playing time he needs. Some other club will, and it seems like the time for Reyna to make that call.
VERDICT: Go
AFPMalik Tillman
The big clubs are surely coming for Tillman. The only question is how long PSV can hold on. After putting up nine goals and 11 assists last season, Tillman looks set to increase those numbers this time around. He already has 10 goals this campaign, so you can check that box, and he has three assists to go with those finishes.
Massive clubs take notice of those numbers. Tillman left Bayern for this type of opportunity and, thus far, everything has gone to plan. Could a return to Bayern be in the cards? Will some other big club pay enough money to snap him up? If they do, it will likely come in the summer. Tillman will continue to put up numbers through this campaign, and should reassess to start the next window.
VERDICT: Stay
Getty Images SportAntonee Robinson
Has Robinson done all he can at Fulham? Every week, it looks more and more like the answer is "yes."
Robinson has already established himself as the Premier League's best left-back and, and it will be difficult for Fulham to keep him. He's been linked to clubs such as Liverpool, and Robinson himself has admitted that a move might be on the cards.
All things considered, that makes it likely he gets a transfer. Liverpool or Manchester City makes sense, if either do come calling. Robinson is ready for a well-deserved rise to the very top.
VERDICT: Go
