The main MLS transfer window ends on Tuesday. Here’s the latest news I’m hearing across the league…
LA Galaxy and Puig reach new deal
The LA Galaxy and star midfielder Rithat Puig has agreed to terms of a new contract, say sources briefed on the situation Athleticism. Puig’s previous contract was set to expire after the 2025 season.
Puig, 24, is the best player for the West-leading Galaxy. He joined Barcelona during the 2022 season and has since been one of the best players in MLS. He has made 54 appearances so far for the Galaxy.
This season, Puig has two goals and two assists, but his basic numbers don’t tell the whole story. Adding his secondary assists – which MLS officially counts – Puig is tied for fourth in the league in this category.
Puig also leads the league by a wide margin – his total of 998 is well ahead of second-placed Sergio Busquets’ 794 touches. According to FBRef, Puig is in the 99th percentile among MLS midfielders this season in terms of passes attempted, progressive passes and progressive carries; He ranks in the 97th percentile for shot-creating actions.
Cincinnati finalizes deal for U-22 forward
FC Cincinnati is finalizing a deal to sign Venezuelan striker Kevin Kelsy on loan from Shakhtar Donetsk, sources with knowledge of the deal confirm.. The loan runs until the end of the season.
Kelsy will be added to the list via the U-22 initiative. Daniel Nohra was the first to report the deal.
According to AthleticismAccording to our sources, Cincy will pay a $700,000 loan fee for the highly-rated 19-year-old Venezuelan international forward and retain an option to buy. They expect the deal to be finalized on Monday.
Even though he didn’t get consistent playing time in Ukraine, Kelsy was still productive on the court. He has seven goals and two assists in 750 league minutes over the last two years. He also scored in this year’s Champions League against FC Porto, his only start in the competition.
In the mold of a target man who makes intelligent runs with the ball, Kelsy gives head coach Pat Noonan a more physical option at centre-forward. Given that Kelsy is only 19 and joining mid-season, expectations that Kelsy will make an immediate impact should be tempered.
Despite Shakhtar’s initial reluctance to negotiate, the clubs had been in talks for Kelsy for almost a month, according to sources. Shakhtar didn’t want to lose the player despite being buried far down their depth chart, while Kelsy was ready to leave for Cincy in search of regular minutes.
Trading market maneuvers
The MLS commercial market is heating up ahead of the deadline. The name that comes up the most is Seattle Sounders defender Xavier Arreaga, who could be the first domino for other moves.
The New England Revolution is one of three clubs pursuing Arreaga ahead of the deadline, according to sources. New England center fielder Dave Romney, who fell out of favor with head coach Caleb Porter, has been made available, but no deal is imminent with another club.
Behind New England, there is a team from the Western Conference and another from the East in talks for Arreaga, according to sources. Seattle isn’t expecting much for Arreaga as they value his professionalism as he has fallen out of favor over the past year.
Elsewhere, the Houston Dynamo officially acquired winger McKinze Gaines from Nashville SC and Real Salt Lake acquired Phillip Quinton from the Columbus Crew, the first two window trades to become official.
FC Dallas wants to add another central defender, according to sources.
Overall, sources within the league described the trade market as slow and lackluster in terms of active negotiations.
New England signs Aljaz Ivacic
The New England Revolution is signing goalkeeper Aljaz Ivacic, according to sources informed of the deal.. They add that, in a corresponding move, the club waived goalkeeper Jacob Jackson.
Ivacic, 30, was waived by the Portland Timbers after submitting 56 applications with the club. He won the Timbers 2022 Fans’ Player of the Year award. He is expected to challenge Henrich Ravas for the top role.
Jackson, 23, has been a standout for the Revs’ second team over the past two seasons and has made three MLS appearances.
Charlotte FC will not add a U-22 winger
Charlotte FC was in talks with Portuguese club Portimonense over Cape Verde international winger Hélio Varela, but that deal is currently dead, according to sources with knowledge of the situation. Athleticism.
The club has plenty of roster flexibility for the summer, when it plans to add a DP player, U-22 initiative as well as allocate money for another key signing.
Charlotte signed Israeli international winger Liel Abada to a record deal last month.
San Jose targets championship midfielder
The San Jose Earthquakes have targeted Millwall attacking midfielder Zian Flemming with their DP spot open, but have yet to make an offer, according to sources with knowledge of the situation..
Flemming, 25, has seven goals and five assists in 44 league appearances for the club this season. Millwall won three games in a row to move out of the relegation battle with two games remaining.
The Quakes have had several targets for this open DP position, including Carlos Vela, but have yet to make a deal. On the pitch, San Jose has struggled mightily, with eight losses in their first nine matches, putting them last in the league.
Familiar players to watch out for that are in the market
As the window closes and teams are already looking ahead to the summer, a few familiar names are being discussed around MLS, according to sources.
One of the players to watch this summer is American international winger Griffin Yow.
Three MLS clubs are considering signing Yow, a former local DC United player who currently plays for Westerlo in Belgium.
Yow, 21, will likely leave Westerlo this summer after a stellar season, whether back in MLS or elsewhere in Europe. He has seven goals and six assists, which has propelled him into the race to potentially be selected to the Olympic team this summer.
Some other familiar names include center back Danny Wilson, who was a long-time member of the Colorado Rapids, as well as dual-national English-American winger Alex Mighten.
Wilson, 32, returned to Scotland this winter. Mighten, 21, is on loan at Port Vale from Nottingham Forest.
Two USL Championship players heading to Europe
Two young North Carolina FC talents are heading to Europe, according to sources with knowledge of the deals..
Westerlo finalizes deal to sign striker Julian Placias. The 18-year-old joined North Carolina this winter from the LA Galaxy academy. He helped the Galaxy win the MLS Next Cup, scoring a tournament-best six goals.
Central defender Adrian Pelayo is heading for a trial with Feyenoord. The 17-year-old is a Portland Timbers academy product and also signed with North Carolina this winter. He represented Mexico at the U-17 World Cup last year. It is also eligible in the United States.
(Photo: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports)