Five USMNT regulars secure European moves as Balogun's £50m Everton deal collapses

Folarin Balogun’s proposed move to Everton from Monaco collapsed on Deadline Day despite the 25-year-old travelling to Merseyside to complete the deal, leaving the biggest potential transfer of any American player in the post-2026 World Cup window unfinished. The New York-born, London-bred striker had been the breakout star of the tournament, scoring three goals in four games, and a deal worth more than $50 million had appeared close before last-minute complications caused Balogun to walk away.

While that high-profile move stalled, five of his USMNT teammates did find new clubs before the window shut.

Zavier Gozo — Real Salt Lake to Crystal Palace

The 19-year-old Utah native made the jump from MLS to the Premier League after scoring 10 goals in 42 league appearances for RSL, including six in 16 games during the 2026 season. USMNT head coach Mauricio Pochettino had already flagged Gozo’s potential by including the uncapped midfielder on the Americans’ 55-player provisional World Cup roster. He wasted little time making his mark in England, making his Premier League debut for Palace last week against Manchester City.

Gio Reyna — Borussia Mönchengladbach to Strasbourg

After seven years in Germany, the 23-year-old swapped the Bundesliga for Ligue 1, joining Strasbourg in early August on a five-year contract for $3.5 million. Reyna had managed only one goal in 20 appearances — 16 of them off the bench — for ‘Gladbach in 2025-26, but he arrives in France with renewed momentum after scoring a brilliant goal in the USA’s World Cup-opening 4-1 rout of Paraguay. He has already started in central midfield and logged 76 minutes in a 2-1 win over Lens, suggesting he will see considerably more playing time this season.

Sebastian Berhalter — Vancouver Whitecaps to Middlesbrough

The combative central midfielder and set-piece specialist turned down the chance to move to England’s Championship before the World Cup, choosing instead to stay in Vancouver and secure his place in the squad. The gamble paid off: Berhalter featured in all five of the USA’s World Cup matches and scored in the 3-2 group-stage defeat to Turkey. He now joins Middlesbrough in the second tier as he looks to establish himself in English football.

The five moves collectively reflect the surge of European interest in USMNT players following a strong World Cup showing on home soil. Balogun’s situation remains unresolved, with the striker returning to Monaco for now after the Everton deal fell through — a reminder that even the most advanced negotiations can unravel before the window closes.