Transfers

There's been a lot of news surrounding American players abroad in Europe lately.

Since 2013, the CIES Football Observatory has annually been releasing a list of the top 100 valued footballers from Europe’s “Big-5” leagues. It’s a fascinating concept because rather than just saying “Messi is the best, he’s No. 1. Ronaldo is second-best, he’s No.

When Neymar made his record-breaking transfer from Barcelona to PSG, his former Brazilian club Santos, with which he played from the age of 11, received a windfall of nearly $16 million as a solidarity payment.

Chelsea made its first big splash in the transfer window, adding USMNT star forward Christian Pulisic to the roster. The forward was purchased from Borussia Dortmund for a jaw-dropping $73.1 million, the largest fee for an American player in history. The Christian Pulisic transfer fee more than tripled the previous record, which was held by fellow USMNT star John Brooks.

It’s no secret that 18-year-old Mexican phenom Diego Lainez has played his last match for Club América (going out with a bang as the Apertura 2018 champion). With two El Tri appearances to his name, Lainez only further boosted his market value with two goals during América’s semifinal victory over Pumas, and it looks as though Dutch giants Ajax are about to meet the Mexican club’s valuation of the precocious winger.

Christian Pulisic had a difficult year. From missing out on the World Cup to dealing with injury to not being a consistent starter for Borussia Dortmund, you can’t blame the 20-year old for wanting a little change of scenery. Pulisic has been on the radar of big European clubs for quite some time now, and a summer move seems inevitable.

In a couple of days, it will officially be the winter silly season. But that doesn’t mean the silliness can’t start a little early, as with the latest Christian Pulisic transfer rumors. 

According to German tabloid Bild, Chelsea will purchase Pulisic from Borussia Dortmund for $57 million in the summer.

BVB fordert Millionen-Ablöse - Pulisic einig mit Chelsea! https://t.co/Zv6sQ3zrQN

Boca Juniors hero Guillermo Barros Schelotto spent four illustrious seasons in Major League Soccer with the Columbus Crew. Now he’s coming back to MLS — as the new LA Galaxy coach.

PSV Eindhoven keeps increasing its footprint in North America. The Dutch club has been home to a number of Mexico internationals over the years, notably Hirving Lozano and Erick Gutierrez currently. DeMarcus Beasley once kept chalk on his boots on the wings at PSV in the Eredivisie and Champions League. PSV added one more American to the ranks on Friday: 18-year-old Richard Ledezma.

Ledezma, a Phoenix native, made his move official on Friday, though it’s been known for some time he’d be making the move during the winter transfer window after he turned 18 in September.