Tom Bogert’s MLS Transfer Deadline Preview

The MLS secondary transfer window closes on Thursday, with a rash of deals being accelerated before the deadline.

This summer has already seen global icons Son Heung-min (LAFC) and Thomas Müller (Vancouver Whitecaps) arrive, the Columbus Crew (Wessam Abou Ali) and Portland Timbers (Kristoffer Velde) add designated players, while Toronto FC acquired Djordje Mihailovic from the Colorado Rapids in a blockbuster intra-league deal.

There is more to come. This is the latest I’m hearing.

But quickly, here are a number of deals I’ve reported to be close or done that have not yet been announced that I’m not going through in detail below:

• Adilson Malanda to Middlesbrough (loan back to Charlotte thru end of season)

• Matias Rojas to the Portland Timbers

• Drake Callender to Charlotte FC

Miami Maneuvering

Inter Miami CF are working to acquire Argentine center back Gonzalo Piovi from Cruz Azul, but the asking price is proving to be a hurdle in negotiations, per sources.

Cruz Azul want $7 million for the defender, but Miami wouldn’t be able to make such a deal work under the salary cap. Talks are ongoing.

Miami have had a busy few weeks. Departures for Federico Redondo (Elche) and Drake Callender (Charlotte) are happening, while they’re probably not done on that front.

Fafa Picault is another name to watch for a potential departure, with CF Montreal a club to watch for Picault. Miami won’t sanction a departure without signing another winger first, which is proving difficult, sources say.

Minnesota United ins and outs

Minnesota United have a few irons in the fire ahead of the transfer window deadline on Thursday.

First, the club are nearing a deal to sign Austrian attacking midfielder Dominik Fitz from Austria Vienna, per sources. He could be added as a DP or TAM signing, as his roster designation is to be determined. The 26-year-old had 13 goals and 16 assists in just under 3,000 minutes last year, while he already has four goals and five assists in 600 minutes this year. It would be a significant addition.

On the outbound side, which doesn’t strictly apply to the MLS deadline (but kind of does), the club are dealing with bids from Villarreal for Canadian international forward Tani Oluwaseyi. Sources say a bid around $4 million was rejected.

The Spanish transfer window is open until the end of the month and sources believe if Villarreal meets Minnesota’s valuation, they won’t stand in the player’s way, even without a replacement. Oluwaseyi has already agreed personal terms with Villarreal, per sources.

Timo Werner to the Red Bulls?

The update is… there is no update.

There has been a staring contest between the ONR Bulls and Timo Werner for the better part of a month. RBNY easily has the best offer on the table for Werner, but the German forward wants to remain on the same wages as his current contract.

RB Leipzig have made it clear he is not in the plans and that won’t change. They have said he won’t be in the matchday squad and, in their first competitive match of the season, he wasn’t.

The transfer window is Thursday. Let’s see if anyone blinks. At this point, it’s Werner or bust for RBNY’s open DP spot.

Revs nearing deal for U-22 forward

The New England Revolution are nearing a deal to sign Israel international forward Dor Turgeman from Maccabi Tel Aviv, sources tell GIVEMESPORT.

New England submitted a $5.5 million bid and have agreed personal terms with the player. Turgreman would hit the roster via the U-22 initiative if it gets done.

Turgeman, 21, has 10 caps with the senior Israel national team. He had 16 goals and three assists in just over 2,000 minutes across all competitions for Maccabi Tel Aviv last season.

The struggling Revs waived attackers Maxi Urruti and Luis Diaz this week.

D.C. Agree Deal for Caden Clark

Credit: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images

DC United have reached an agreement in principle to acquire American attacker Caden Clark from CF Montréal, sources tell GIVEMESPORT.

The deal is a cash trade and Clark will hit D.C.’s squad via the U-22 initiative. Maxime Truman first reported the talks.

Montréal will receive around $700,000.

Sources say Clark did not push for a departure from Montréal.

Clark, 22, was acquired by Montréal last summer where he excelled down the stretch with four goals and two assists in 674 minutes. He has four assists this season.

D.C. and Montréal both sit at the bottom of the Eastern Conference as each side looks to rejuvenate their rosters for 2026.

Colorado’s Mihailovic Replacement(s)

The Colorado Rapids are actively looking to replace Djordje Mihailovic after his $8 million move to Toronto FC and are likely to do so via multiple additions.

Colorado have been adept at acquiring rising talent from within the league and they’ll likely go that avenue again. The club have multiple targets they are pushing hard for.

The Rapids are a team to watch before Thursday’s deadline.