The USMNT Transfer Notebook tracks American player movements, with latest developments for those in the U.S. national team pool

The Summer of Soccer is fully underway, with the CONCACAF Gold Cup and FIFA Club World Cup both being played in the U.S. The USMNT opened their Gold Cup campaign with a dominant win over Trinidad and Tobago. Several Americans are playing in the Club World Cup, including the Juventus duo of Weston McKennie and Tim Weah.

At USMNT camp, newcomer Damion Downs – who missed the opener due to an illness – has been the subject of interest from clubs all around Europe. Reports surfaced last week that Southampton are monitoring his situation.

Another striker to watch this summer is Ricardo Pepi. Transfer speculation surfaced this week, as Premier League side Fulham is reportedly considering an approach. In Italy, it seemed all but certain that Yunus Musah was set to swap AC Milan for Napoli. However, there's been a snag in talks, and the deal is stalled.

Meanwhile, Brentford is set to promote 19-year-old goalkeeper Julian Eyestone to the senior team next year, as the former Duke University standout makes waves with the Premier League side. There's also a handful of potential moves on the cards involving prominent USMNT contributors, including Josh Sargent, midfielder Johnny Cardoso, and goalkeeper Matt Turner.

GOAL tracks all of the American player movements in the USMNT Transfer Notebook, a recurring feature covering the latest developments for those in the U.S. national team pool.

Getty ImagesEyestone eyes first team football

Julian Eyestone is set to represent the U20 U.S. men's national team at the U20 FIFA World Cup this fall, and with that, he's set to be rewarded by Premier League club Brentford, according to Fabrizio Romano.

Eyestone, 19, is set to be handed a new contract with the , where he will be locked down until 2031. In addition, he's set to be promoted from the club's B team to the senior team, and is expected to be with the first team for the Premier League campaign next season.

A product of Duke University, who previously was a part of the FC Dallas academy, the 6-7 goalkeeper made waves domestically before his move to England. In his lone season with the Blue Devils, he earned a spot on the Atlantic Coast Conference freshman team, as well as on the All-Atlantic Coast Conference second team.

Another goalkeeper in Europe within the USMNT's ranks will only benefit the national team, but there's stiff competition in his age group, with Barcelona's Diego Kochen and Chelsea's Gaga Slonina also looking for roles.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportDowns to England?

Recently relegated English side Southampton reportedly have interest in Damion Downs, according to Sky Sports Germany. The 20-year-old forward, who is a dual national with Germany, led FC Köln to promotion from the 2. Bundesliga this past season. The 6-4 striker scored 10 goals and recorded three assists in 29 regular-season appearances for FCK during the 2024/25 campaign.

Downs made his USMNT debut in a recent international friendly against Switzerland, coming off the bench and logging 15 minutes in a 4-0 loss – but he is not cap-tied to the program because it was a friendly. If he features in the Gold Cup, he will be.

Southampton, meanwhile, were relegated from the Premier League. They finished last in the standings this past season and are heading to the English Championship for the 2025-26 campaign.

Downs was part of the FCK squad that was relegated from the Bundesliga in the 2023-24 season. In that campaign, he made 10 appearances while scoring two goals off the bench – but it wasn't enough to keep them afloat in the top division.

A potential fee of $5.7M (€5M) is reportedly being discussed, but FCK doesn't want to lose him this window. Local media outlet Kölner Stadt Anzeiger has reported that FCK is prepared to offer the 20-year-old a new four-year contract with a hefty raise.

The question begs: is he willing to risk relegation with FCK once again, or is it worth moving to England in the Championship with a club known to offer a pathway to the Premier League?

Getty ImagesMusah deal hits a snag

Musah's agreement to join Napoli seemed all but settled last week, but recent developments have halted progress. According Milan News, the two clubs have come to a stalemate in negotiations over bonuses. The deal has been on the table for "days" according to reports, but there is no agreement over the bonus structure.

Antonio Conte's side were named Serie A champions in the 2024-25 campaign, topping Inter by one point in the standings to secure just their second regular-season title since 1990. The side has also added Belgian midfielder and former Manchester City star Kevin De Bruyne this summer.

The 22-year-old Musah fell out of favor at Milan this past season, struggling under the leadership of Portuguese manager Sergio Conceicao during the second half of the domestic campaign. However, veteran Italian manager Max Allegri has since been appointed as the manager.

Allegri doesn't appear to be blocking any transfer away from the club for Musah. Talks are at a standstill, but if an agreement can be made, the 22-year-old could be wearing Napoli blue next season.

AFPPepi to the Premier League?

Ricardo Pepi could be on the move this summer, as clubs from all around Europe monitor his situation at PSV. Missing out on the Gold Cup due to injury, the 22-year-old is now reportedly the subject of an approach from Premier League side Fulham, according a report from Romano.

Across all competitions in 2024-25, the American scored 17 goals and recorded three assists for the Dutch club as they won their second straight Eredivisie title. However, he injured his knee in the Champions League in January and was ruled out for the remainder of the campaign in February.

Fulham finished their Premier League campaign in 11th on 54 points – 12 back from a European placement spot. USMNT star Antonee Robinson had a standout season for Fulham. Previous U.S. internationals to sport the Fulham badge include Clint Dempsey, Tim Ream, Brian McBride, Eddie Johnson, Luca De La Torre, Kasey Keller, and Carlos Bocanegra.

Their American representation over the years has earned them the nickname "Fulhamerica."

The Premier League side won't be the only club chasing Pepi this summer, the report added, as clubs from Italy and Spain are also monitoring his situation.