GOAL takes a look at five realistic transfer targets for MLS teams with ambitions heading into 2025
MLS – and namely Lionel Messi's Inter Miami and Gregg Berhalter's Chicago Fire – missed out on the potential signing of Neymar this January transfer window, with the Brazilian star terminating his contract in Saudi Arabia with Al Hilal in favor of a move back to Brazil with Santos, the club he broke out with as a teenager.
The all-time leading scorer, Neymar had the potential to be a Messi-esque signing for the league, making a splash on and off the pitch.
However, despite the league missing out on luring the forward to North America, there should still be ambition to chase players who can make a similar impact. Losing out on his signature is surely a bummer, but there are still some superstar talents available, and some of them have even shown their desire to land stateside.
Most notably, Atletico Madrid forward Antoine Griezmann has shown his willingness to end his career in MLS, while Manchester City and Belgium star Kevin De Bruyne has been heavily linked with a move to 2025 expansion side San Diego FC. Elsewhere, Tottenham forward Timo Werner has been linked with the New York Red Bulls, while U.S. international Alex Zendejas could be on the move to MLS, with Orlando City chasing him. Meanwhile, France international Alexandre Lacazette is out of contract with Lyon this summer, and a move to the U.S. could be on the cards with MLS sides monitoring his situation.
GOAL takes a look at each footballer, offering some insight into why they should be one of the league's next big signings.
Get the MLS Season Pass today!Stream games nowAFPKevin De Bruyne
The Belgian international has long honed his trade in the English Premier League with Manchester City under the guidance and leadership of Pep Guardiola, but a move stateside could be the transfer he deserves as a likely final stop for his career.
The 33-year-old is out of contract with City this summer and could be available on a free transfer as a result. Over the past few months, transfer talk has heated up about his destination, while 2025 MLS expansion side San Diego FC has emerged as a potential landing spot. The Western Conference club has already made a splash in the transfer market, bringing in former Napoli and PSV star Hirving "Chucky" Lozano to spearhead their inaugural campaign, but if the Belgian were to arrive, he would take the cake.
Across his storied career, the Belgian has made 406 appearances for City, scoring 104 goals and recording 173 assists, while being a six-time Premier League winner and boasting a UEFA Champions League trophy.
An arrival on the West Coast for De Bruyne would likely signify the end to a brilliant career in England and Europe, he's earned this chance. He would be the face of the club, adored by fans, and his jersey would be seen by tens of thousands across the state if he were to end up in . However, there are still reports of a potential move to Saudi Arabia, so San Diego will have competition for his services.
An MLS arrival would mean, goals, assists, and trophies; he's a serial winner, and wherever he lands, he won't allow mediocrity.
AdvertisementgettyTimo Werner
The UEFA Champions League winner with Chelsea has not quite had the career many thought he would have had, but he's managed to stay relevant at a high level in recent years and is now playing in the Premier League with Tottenham Hotspur.
Known for his blistering pace on the wing, and tidy footwork in a center-forward role, Werner has created a career for himself purely based on both potential and "what ifs." Now, linked with a move to RBNY, the 28-year-old could arrive at the perfect time in his career, where a change of scenery could unlock the best parts of him.
Previously, Werner excelled in the German Bundesliga with RB Leipzig, where he truly broke out as a footballer. He scored 113 goals and recorded 47 assists in 213 appearances for the club, which earned him a move to the , where he went on to claim a UCL title. Now, with Spurs, he has made 40 appearances for the club, but has managed just three goals and six assists; with it being a poor fit for both parties.
The Germany international would be a brilliant signing for RBNY, a club he's been linked with if they could capitalize on the current situation. Out of favor under Ange Postecoglou, Werner could be available for a cheap fee, and with their connections to Leipzig through Red Bull, it ultimately makes sense. In MLS, Werner would be a menace in the attack, and likely be the perfect player to play off of new DP striker and former Bayern Munich man Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting. Werner's pace, combined with the poaching abilities of Choupo-Moting, could be a tandem that wreaks havoc on the Eastern Conference.
It's a deal that makes sense for both parties, after RBNY made their way as a finalist to MLS Cup 2024, and are looking to win their first title in 2025. They get a top attacker who has proven himself on the international stage, and Werner gets a chance to revamp his career and get meaningful minutes ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Getty ImagesAntoine Griezmann
If there's one player every elite MLS team should be calling about in 2025, it's Antoine Griezmann. Now officially retired from the France national team, he wouldn’t miss time during the European window — when MLS teams keep playing — and he's been one of the world's best attacking players over the past decade. Add in his incredible versatility, and signing him is a no-brainer.
Throughout the entire 2022 FIFA World Cup, where made it to the final, he played as an inverted midfielder and was arguably their best player. He's played and scored at every single level possible in Spain, with both Atletico Madrid and Barcelona, while also being a World Champion with the national team. He can play as a No. 10, or at striker, or even in wide roles; a true dream for any attacking-minded coach, and more than anything, he's shown he wants to come here.
Griezmann has been alluding to an MLS move for almost a decade and consistently finds ways to be stateside when he isn't in action in La Liga. The Frenchman has an admiration for sports trading cards, the NBA and NFL, and already has relationships with multiple domestic athletes. In recent months, both LAFC and Sporting Kansas City have emerged as potential landing spots, but with the , he would be reunited with former France teammates Hugo Lloris and Olivier Giroud. Meanwhile, 2024 MLS Cup champions LA Galaxy also have a former teammate of his in Riqui Puig, while Inter Miami – of course – features his former Barcelona teammates Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba.
It's not an "if" for Griezmann, but rather, a "when" — and any ambitious owner would look at his situation and pounce this summer if they want to be remembered as elite.
AFPAlex Zendejas
Zendejas, a U.S. international, has essentially conquered Liga MX. He has won every single possible trophy there, and proven that he is one of the best players in the league. Now? It's either Europe or MLS, and the latter seems like the league that wants him the most.
Orlando City have shown concrete interest in the attacker, as has Brazilian side Botafogo, but he remains an America player after the close of the European transfer window in January. As a result, it's time for MLS teams – whether that be Orlando or another competitor – to pounce.
The 26-year-old signed a new contract with the Mexican club in 2024, but that shouldn't turn clubs away. Through two competitive camps under Mauricio Pochettino's leadership with the USMNT, Zendejas has played a role in each, and looks to be a locked-in member of the program in the buildup to the 2026 World Cup. For any MLS team, that's a golden ticket for marketing, advertising – and of course, performances on the pitch.
Over the next 16 months, Zendejas will be doing everything in his power to elevate his game to push himself into a larger role within the program, and that should be another compelling argument to acquire him. He wouldn't be a break-the-bank type player, either, and should be potentially cheaper than others on this list. He'd of course, like every other player on this list, require a DP spot — but he's also the youngest, and entering his prime. He's creative in both wide and central attacking roles and is arguably one of the U.S.'s most unique players in the pool at the moment, too.
During his time with America, he's a two-time Apertura champion, a Clausura winner, a Campeones Cup champion, a Campeon de Campeones victor, and holds a Supercopa de La Liga MX title as well. Any MLS team would be lucky to have him on their roster, and a move ahead of the 2025 season ultimately makes the most sense.