The USMNT Transfer Notebook tracks American player movements, with latest developments for those in the U.S. national team pool
The European summer transfer window has roughly four weeks remaining, and the U.S. men's national team will report in roughly five weeks for a pair of international friendlies. Across the past few weeks, there have been several transfer developments for players with high hopes for the 2026 World Cup.
Defender Max Arfsten, a breakout star at the Gold Cup, is the subject of transfer interest in both France and England, and could depart MLS side Columbus Crew this summer. Midfielder Yunus Musah is back on the radar of Napoli, with a move from AC Milan reportedly heating up after interest surfaced in June. In Germany, Borussia Dortmund are now contemplating the effects of a permanent Cole Campbell departure, and a move away could be a difficult task suddenly.
Then, it appears Tim Weah's months-long transfer saga with Juventus might finally be over. The have reportedly agreed to sell him to Marseille in France on a permanent transfer.
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.
Get the MLS Season Pass today!Stream games nowGetty Images SportArfsten subject of bidding war
Columbus Crew defender Max Arfsten, a breakout performer at the 2025 Gold Cup, has been the subject of interest from Toulouse in France, according to L'Equipe. However, now report that English Championship side Middlesbrough are now looking to enter the race for his signature, and that could ultimately lead to a bidding war over the fullback's services.
Toulouse currently roster fellow U.S. international Mark McKenzie, while Middlesbrough also have one in midfielder Aidan Morris.
The Ligue 1 side approached Columbus in June with an offer, but were turned down, and reportedly approached Columbus with a near $2 million offer last week. Middlesbrough, though, are set to offer nearly $3 million for Arfsten, and seem to be in the lead for his signature at the moment.
It remains to be seen where Arfsten moves to this Europe, but he has multiple suitors now contending for his signature.
AdvertisementGetty/GOALWeah saga nearing an end?
After a summer of back-and-forth between Juventus, Weah's camp, and clubs around Europe, it appears the winger has found a new club in Marseille, according to Fabrizio Romano.
However, it's been a whirlwind summer.
In July, it was reported that Nottingham Forest had agreed a fee with Juventus for Weah, but he rejected the approach from the Premier League side, and instead, Romano reported that Weah and Marseille shared mutual interest, and that the French club was exploring a deal.
However, Juventus were playing hardball with the Ligue 1 side over agreeing on a fee initially, prompting Weah's agent, Badou Sambague, to make a statement over the matter. He claimed that Juventus' sporting department is "creating problems" and that the Serie A side was holding out for a move to the Premier League – a transfer that they'll "never approve."
It's yet to be official, but all signs point to Weah joining the ranks of Roberto De Zerbi's men.
Getty ImagesBVB's Campbell dilemma
Borussia Dortmund have a big decision to make with Cole Campbell this summer. The U.S. youth international has climbed through the youth ranks of the Bundesliga outfit, but where he goes from here is now up to the club.
Reports surfaced earlier in the window that Stuttgart were keen to secure the 19-year-old's signature, with a permanent transfer being discussed, but now Dortmund are unsure of letting him go, according to . The are now contemplating only letting Campbell go on loan, as a replacement winger could cost them a hefty fee ahead of the season. If he were to depart the club permanently, the report added that Dortmund are now looking to add a buy-back clause into the contract as well.
In the 2024-25 season, Campbell made four Bundesliga appearances, one substitute cameo in the UEFA Champions League, and appeared in one match in the DFB-Pokal for Dortmund. He also traveled with them for the Club World Cup. With BVB II, who compete in the third tier of German football, Campbell made 11 domestic league appearances, scoring twice and recording one assist.
In November, the 19-year-old sat down with GOAL for an exclusive interview, where he shared that U.S. Soccer "believes" in his abilities. He has lofty goals with the national team, but he needs regular playing time this upcoming campaign to achieve them.
Getty ImagesNapoli back in for Musah?
In June, it was reported that Antonio Conte's Napoli were interested in Musah, but no bid came from the club for the AC Milan midfielder. Now, though, with over a month in between reports, it seems that the have reignited their interest in the 22-year-old.
Neapolitan newspaper via MilanPress, reports that Napoli's hierarchy of president Aurelio De Laurentiis, manager Antonio Conte, and sporting director Giovanni Manna held a transfer market meeting in Ischia, where they discussed bringing Musah into the fold to compete for their midfield.
Conte believes Musah will be the ideal midfielder to back up André-Frank Zambo Anguissa, while pushing him for regular minutes.
Musah, meanwhile, has been training and competing in matches across the preseason with AC Milan. Manager Max Allegri has played him three times this summer, and Musah also scored once in a 9-0 victory over Perth Glory in Australia.
