USMNT transfer news: Christian Pulisic, Sergino Dest, and others who could switch clubs during summer window 2022

With the summer transfer window in full swing, several U.S. international players are the subject of reports and speculation ahead of what could be a career-defining season that will include the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

That same World Cup will lead to an earlier start to the 2022-23 club season in August and a greater urgency for those with uncertain club futures to sort out their situations soon.

The USMNT players in the news include the likes of Christian Pulisic and Sergino Dest, with many others already completing deals to new clubs. Young players like Gabriel Slonina were chased by top clubs even before they’re ready to be on the field for the senior national team.

With the transfer window only officially opening in June, a few deals involving Americans have already been completed, with Matt Turner, Brenden Aaronson, and Tyler Adams completing moves to new English Premier League clubs.

MORE: Updated USMNT injury news as summer 2022 rolls along

USMNT player transfers in summer window 2022

Below is a list of the American players who have either officially completed deals to new clubs during this transfer window, or who have re-signed new contracts with their current clubs.

Completed deals

*Celtic made Cameron Carter-Vickers loan deal permanent
**Gaga Slonina’s deal includes a loan back to Chicago until the end of the MLS season, at which point he will join the Chelsea squad
***Djordje Mihailovic will be moving to AZ Alkmaar in the winter transfer window in a deal already confirmed

Chris Richards: The American defender, after a number of loan spells at Bayern, has departed the Bavarian side and joined Premier League club Crystal Palace. It’s a fresh start for the 22-year-old where he will compete with Marc Guehi and Joachim Andersen for playing time.

Matt Turner: The USMNT starting goalkeeper has parlayed his excellent MLS and national team performances into a move to one of England’s biggest teams. It’s a great opportunity for Turner, but also concerning from a playing time perspective prior to the World Cup.

Brenden Aaronson: The former Philadelphia Union winger performed well in the Champoions League last season, and used an American connection at Leeds to see out a transfer to the Premier League. There will be big expectations on Aaronson’s shoulders after the departure of Raphinha.

Tyler Adams: The midfielder followed Aaronson to Leeds, and will also have major expectations as he looks to replace Kalvin Phillips.

Zack Steffen: While Turner toils at Arsenal with playing time a concern, his main goalkeeping competitor Steffen has secured a loan to Championship side Middlesbrough in a hunt for coveted minutes. He is the supposed starter at Riverside Stadium after the departure of last season’s starting goalkeeper Joe Lumley.

Djordje Mihailovic: Mihailovic has been one of the best creative forces in MLS this season, earning a call-up to the USMNT for the team’s summer CONCACAF Nations League fixtures, only to pick up an ankle injury on club duty in the weekend prior to camp beginning. The attacking midfielder will compete with the likes of Dani de Wit and Tijani Reijnders in the AZ Alkmaar midfield, with the club close to confirming a place in the Europa Conference League group stage. He will join the Dutch club in the January transfer window after the MLS season concludes.

MORE: Who is “Gaga” Slonina? Teenage goalkeeper turns down Poland for USMNT

Re-signed new contracts

MORE: Projecting the USMNT roster and starting lineup for the 2022 World Cup

Christian Pulisic “disappointed” to stay at Chelsea

There is massive speculation, with two years left on his current Chelsea deal and a decrease in minutes last season under Thomas Tuchel, that Christian Pulisic could depart Stamford Bridge this summer.

The USMNT star has spent three seasons with the Blues, winning the Champions League title and the FIFA Club World Cup. Yet last season, Thomas Tuchel’s tactical preferences pushed Pulisic to the periphery, seeing him log just 2,207 minutes across all competitions, a low for Pulisic at Chelsea. He was often deployed out of position, playing central striker or wingback to fit Tuchel’s tactical setup.

UPDATE (Aug. 29): According to Paul Tenorio of The Athletic, Pulisic will stay at Chelsea this summer. Blues’ ownership turned down the opportunity to find a loan deal for the summer, with Manchester United and Newcastle interested plus Champions League clubs in Italy and Spain. This has reportedly left Pulisic dismayed, as he hoped to find a solution to his decreasing minutes. Pulisic has not started any of the first four matches of the season for Chelsea, coming off the bench for each game, totaling 72 minutes.

MORE: Why Christian Pulisic staying at Chelsea presents a massive problem for the USMNT

UPDATE (Aug 20): The flip-flopping continues as Pulisic is said to be holding “showdown talks” with the Blues to determine his future, reports ESPN. The links to Newcastle have resurfaced as those with Man United appear to be cooling already.

However, according to The Daily Mail and some others, Pulisic is said to be reconsidering his earlier stance on leaving and could decide to stay at Chelsea to fight for his place. Chelsea boss Todd Boehly is thought to be reluctant to let Pulisic leave permanently, only considering a loan deal.

Movement on a Chelsea swoop for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang seems to be heating up, which would push the American further down the depth chart at Stamford Bridge.

UPDATE (Aug 17): According to Ben Jacobs of CBS, Gregg Berhalter has advised Pulisic to depart Chelsea in order to get more minutes before the World Cup. Jacobs reports that Serie A intrigues Pulisic and he would love to join Weston McKennie at Juventus, although the Italian club has yet to reciprocate the interest. Andy Mittens of The Athletic reports that Manchester United would be interested in a loan move for Pulisic.

UPDATE (Aug 15): After Pulisic failed to start the first two Chelsea matches of the Premier League season, transfer rumors have again begun to ramp up. Buried deep in an article by Jacob Steinburg of The Guardian was a line that Tuchel “doesn’t trust” Pulisic, leading to whispers of his discontent. David Ornstein of The Athletic then reported that Pulisic is a loan target for Newcastle.

UPDATE (June 22): Bild reporter Christian Falk said in early June that Liverpool are monitoring Pulisic as a possible replacement for Sadio Mane. However, CBS Sports reporter Ben Jacobs squashed that, saying Liverpool are considering the arrival of more attacking options, but Pulisic is no longer an option. “I am told it won’t be Pulisic,” Jacobs stated on social media.

Sergino Dest to be shopped by Barcelona?

With Barcelona in a difficult financial position, the La Liga side may need to sell players to fund any desired incoming transfers this summer. American fullback Sergino Dest, who battled through injuries to make 21 appearances in league play in 2021-22, could be one of the players to make way for other arrivals.

Still just 21 years old and with three years left on his Barcelona contract, the club could make a pretty penny on Dest’s departure and still have cover for the right back position next year, should veteran Dani Alves return. While Dest has improved his defensive acumen during his time at Barcelona, his strength still lies in the attacking third and he could fit a wingback role well at a team with such a tactical setup.

UPDATE (Aug. 31): Surprisingly, Man United manager Erik ten Hag said after the completed Antony and Dubravka deals that the Red Devils may be done with transfer business this window. That would nix any previously explored swap deal for Sergino Dest.

UPDATE (Aug. 28): According to Spanish publication Sport, Man United have discussed a deal for Dest with Manchester United that includes a loan swap for Aaron Wan-Bissaka.

UPDATE (Aug 19): Dest was left out of the Barcelona squad for the second straight match, with reports indicating that Xavi has told Dest to find a new home. The Barcelona manager was not shy about it when asked publicly in his pre-match press conference ahead of the match against Real Sociedad. Xavi laid out his options at right-back, but noticeably left Dest out. When asked about Dest specifically in a follow-up, Xavi answered simply, “He knows what the situation is.”

UPDATE (Aug 14): Barcelona is expected to try to sell some players before the end of the transfer window, and it looks like Sergino Dest could be among them. The fullback has emerged as a target for Manchester United and the clubs are in negotiations, according to Ekrem Konur. That report was corroborated by Spanish outlet Sport. The links make sense, as Dest was a member of Ajax under Erik ten Hag before moving to Barcelona.

Ricardo Pepi moving to Eredivisie club on loan

Former FC Dallas striker Ricardo Pepi became FC Augsburg’s record signing last winter, joining the German side in great form after a torrid MLS season.

The goals dried up immediately, and he still has yet to find the back for the club nearly eight months later. Having lost his place in the side, Pepi is now reportedly looking for a new club on loan to get kickstarted before the World Cup. The U.S. striker position is wide open, and while Pepi is thought to be on the outside looking in as it stands, a positive few months could see him right back in the fold.

According to Florian Plettenburg of Sky Sports Germany on August 31, Pepi will move to Dutch side FC Grongien on a one-year loan. Details must still be ironed out, but a fresh start for Pepi could be nearing completion.

John Brooks seeking new club

While John Brooks has thus far been frozen out of the U.S. national team setup under Gregg Berhalter, his club future is also in question.

The former Wolfsburg defender is out of contract this summer and stated he will not return to the German club. Brooks played poorly in the first half of the 2021-22 season as Wolfsburg battled relegation and suffered group stage elimination in the UEFA Champions League. But he turned things around in the second half to help the club successfully stave off the drop.

UPDATE (Aug. 31): Finally, after a long wait, news has begun to leak on Brooks joining a new club. The team identified is La Liga side Mallorca, which narrowly avoided relegation last season.

UPDATE (Aug 2): With still no word on Brooks finding a new club, the USMNT defender was linked with MLS club San Jose Earthquakes on Twitter by Quakes writer Robert Jonas. It’s simply a social media rumor at this point, and serves more to point out how quiet the news has been on the Brooks front than anything else.

UPDATE (June 8): According to German publication Kicker (as passed on by Bundesliga commentator Derek Rae), Brooks has been in contact with Hoffenheim about possibly signing with the club. Hoffenheim finished ninth in the last Bundesliga season but had massive defensive issues, conceding 60 goals, third-most in the German top flight.