GOAL takes a look at which of MLS' brightest stars could move to Europe in the January window
Lionel Messi's Inter Miami were one of the first clubs in MLS to feel the impact of the January's incoming transfer window this offseason. Diego Gomez, one of the team's young rising players and a Paraguay international, is joining Brighton in the English Premier League for a reported $18 million next month. The move is well-earned, with the 21-year-old having a breakout season. Now, the question that follows is: Who's next?
Gomez's move follows a growing pathway in the league, where MLS is becoming a stepping stone for young talent before they make the next jump in their career, whether that be to Europe or the top-tiers of South America. On top of Gomez, in 2024, we saw U.S. youth international Caleb Wiley move to Chelsea in England, 2022 FIFA World Cup winner Thiago Almada make the leap from Atlanta to Botafogo – where he became a Copa Libertadores champion recently. Then, there's domestic talent like Cavan Sullivan, who signed the largest Homegrown deal in MLS history with the Philadelphia Union, but within the contract, signed a clause to move to Manchester City at age 18.
MLS has become a league where young players, if given the right tools and access, can flourish – 2024 proved that.
However, there are still gems of players that have yet to make the leap, despite rumors circling that they could. GOAL takes a look at five potential candidates within the league that could be set for their next big move this Winter.
Get the MLS Season Pass today!Stream games nowIMGANAdilson Malanda, Charlotte FC
Malanda had one of the most impressive seasons among all defenders in MLS in 2024. The 22-year-old center back broke out under manager Dean Smith, helping lead Charlotte FC to the second-best defensive record in all of MLS. As a result of his performances, he now has eyes from all over Europe on him.
In July, CLT inked him to a new contract through 2026 with a club option through 2027, but in this world, money talks — and he could bring in a substantial amount on a transfer fee.
Originally signed from Rodez AF in Ligue 2, Malanda was brought into MLS with only 36 senior matches under his belt as a professional. However, he has blossomed into one of the brightest talents across the league.
General Manager Zoran Krneta announced in the summer that the club had received offers in the summer from Europe's top five leagues for the Frenchman, but they declined the pursuit, instead handing him a new deal and building their defense around him.
In 2024, Malanda made 32 appearances for CLT, while winning 58.1 percent of his aerial duels, recording 81 defensive clearances and scoring one goal during the regular season. It's level of performance that could have teams from abroad looking his way once again.
AdvertisementIMGANJohn Tolkin, New York Red Bulls
Tolkin has been touted for a move to Europe for the past two seasons, but a January transfer now seems inevitable.
The 22-year-old U.S. international recently led the New York Red Bulls to their first MLS Cup appearance since 2008, with the left back recording the game-winning assist in the Conference Semifinals, as well. Over the summer, he represented the USMNT at the 2024 Paris Olympics, making four appearances – all of which were starts – as the U.S. progressed to the quarterfinals of the tournament.
He's evolved into one of the best set-piece takers in MLS, while growing into a versatile fullback who excels in the attack in transition. Across four seasons as a professional, the 22-year-old has amassed seven goals and 15 assists — the second-most assists by a defender in club history.
RBNY Head of Sport Jochen Schneider recently admitted that it's only a matter of time before Tolkin departs for Europe — bringing a January move closer to reality than not.
“This is not a secret,” Schneider said. “We had the exit interviews with the players… and without asking John Tolkin for permission, I can tell you what we’ve spoken with him about [it]. I said, ‘Listen, I want you to retire here at Red Bull Arena, and we put No. 47 [to the rafters].’ But I know that is not going to happen with your quality, with your ambitions," he told amNY.
“I know you will play in Europe. When the day will come, I do not know. It has to be the right club, it has to be the right proposal, it has to be a fit for every party. But it’s clear that you will one day go to Europe. If it will be in January, if it will be on July 25, if it will be after he played the World Cup for the US Men’s National Team, I don’t know. But the time will come. The most important thing is that he’s focused on his game here and then it will be, without a question, that he will go to Europe.”
AmNY reported an unnamed Bundesliga side has been tracking Tolkin for the past two seasons. It will be interesting to see if the left back ends up in Germany or elsewhere at the close of the winter transfer window.
IMAGNDiego Luna, Real Salt Lake
Winner of MLS' 2024 Young Player of the Year award, Luna is widely-regarded as one of the brightest up-and-coming talents in American soccer. A U.S. youth international, he's a creative winger who can invert into the attacking positions of the midfield in transition.
Aged 21, Luna had a breakout 2024 season where he scored eight goals and recorded 12 assists across 31 regular season appearances for Real Salt Lake. In transition, he was fouled 32 times, while in the attack, he registered 55 total scoring attempts.
As a result of his on-pitch brilliance, he's become a hot commodity in the transfer market.
English Championship side Leeds United, who have U.S. international Brenden Aaronson on their roster, have reportedly "explored conditions of a transfer" according to The Mirror this January, but concrete offers have yet to arrive for the 21-year-old.
Regardless, though, he is one of the best young attacking prospects within MLS and should be a name on a lot of club's radar over the Winter transfer window. In addition, he's a name to watch for Mauricio Pochettino's January camp roster — as he's not yet capped by the USMNT, and still has dual-national eligibility with Mexico, too.
IMGANGabriel Pec, LA Galaxy
Winner of 2024 MLS Cup, Pec was MLS' Newcomer of the Year in 2024 — and he arrived with a bang.
Recording 16 goals and 14 assists across the regular season, and another five goal-contributions en-route to lifting the league's championship trophy with the LA Galaxy for the first time in a decade, the 23-year-old Brazilian was absolutely outstanding in his debut season. Brought in from Vasco Da Gama as a Young Designated Player, Pec signed a five-year contract with LA through 2028 after joining ahead of the 2024 campaign.
Reportedly signed for a fee of $10m, he was a cub-record transfer, surpassing the $9.4m they paid for Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez to La Liga side Sevilla in 2020. Now, after just one year stateside, he could be on his way to the biggest stage in Europe.
Speaking to GOAL through a translator prior to lifting MLS Cup, Pec expressed gratitude to LA for taking a chance on him — while manager Greg Vanney admitted there are realities around the transfer market, and if a fee were to arrive for the Brazilian, there would be contemplation.
“I know that LA Galaxy has a very rich history as one of the biggest clubs in MLS in terms of titles,” Pec said. “A lot of great players – [Zlatan] Ibrahimović, Chicharito, and David Beckham – have come here. This is a great pathway for me to continue growing in my career.”
“These players, if they do move on from us, [they potentially] go for big transfer fees that help reinvest back in the team, the academy, and the things that move our club and league forward,” Vanney added.
The manager was adamant though, that LA will fight to keep its core together.
“I think it’s important that we do everything we can to keep this group together,” Vanney told GOAL on Sunday. “It’s one of the reasons Will [Kuntz] and I targeted younger players – to build continuity and allow them to grow as a unit. That’s certainly a priority for us moving forward.”