The biggest MLS transfers of the summer window so far

Analysis

Tom Weber | Writer

Multilingual sports writer who specialises in European football and American soccer.

Major League Soccer's extended secondary transfer window has been open for more than a week, and there has been plenty of high-profile business.

Ahead of the 2026 season, MLS shuffled its transfer window dates around in preparation for next year's shift to a European-style calendar. The primary window in the winter was shortened, while the secondary transfer period in the summer was extended.

The latter is now better aligned with Europe and other continents and closes on 2 September. Thanks to the World Cup break, which was essentially another pre-season, the second half of the MLS campaign could be unrecognisable from the first.

Not only have several franchises made head coaching changes, but there have already been some huge transfers despite the window having only opened on 13 July. Let's run through some of the biggest deals so far.

Robert Lewandowski - Barcelona to Chicago Fire

Arguably the best out-and-out striker of the past 20 years, Robert Lewandowski has finally made the move to MLS at the age of 37. Predictably, he has ended up at the Chicago Fire, in the city with the largest Polish diaspora anywhere in the world.

The veteran forward has arrived on a free transfer from Barcelona. It's a hugely exciting move but also a major gamble because it caused Golden Boot leader Hugo Cuypers to request a transfer away from Chicago. He is now set to join Monterrey in Liga MX.

The Belgian's exit will give the Fire major roster flexibility, however, and they could use their spare Designated Player (DP) spot on Lewandowski's former Bayern Munich teammate Leon Goretzka.

Antoine Griezmann - Atletico Madrid to Orlando City

Struggling Orlando City wanted to bring in Atletico Madrid legend Antoine Griezmann already during the primary transfer window, but the 2018 World Cup winner wanted to see out the European season with his beloved club after reaching the Copa del Rey final.

Orlando did ultimately manage to convince him to join, albeit only in the summer. Atleti allowed the 35-year-old to depart on a free transfer despite the fact that he still had a year left on his contract.

Orlando are showing major ambition this summer and, after trading Duncan McGuire to Houston, they have also re-signed Daryl Dike to complete their new-look frontline.

Casemiro - Man Utd to Inter Miami

One of the transfer market's worst-kept secrets was finally confirmed this week when Inter Miami announced that Casemiro had joined on a free transfer after leaving Man Utd.

A contract agreement had been in place with the Brazil captain for weeks, but the move was delayed because of his World Cup participation and the fact that Miami still needed to acquire his Discovery Rights from the LA Galaxy.

The fact that Miami agreed a deal before trading for his rights has prompted an investigation from MLS, and its outcome will determine the size of the compensation package the Galaxy are owed.

The good news for Miami is that Parma have made Benjamin Cremaschi's loan permanent for €4 million, which means that the Herons should now have the necessary General Allocation Money (GAM) available to satisfy the Galaxy's demands.

Casemiro has signed a non-DP deal through the 2027 sprint season with an option until 2029. Depending on Miami's future business, he could be given a DP contract at a later date.

Allan Saint-Maximin - RC Lens to Charlotte FC

Wilfried Zaha has left Charlotte FC, but he has been replaced with an arguably even more exciting dribbler in Allan Saint-Maximin. The Frenchman has joined the club after a successful few months at Coupe de France winners Lens.

The 29-year-old has joined on a free transfer. He previously spent a few months at Club America, but he terminated his contract and left Mexico after his children were racially abused.

Benie Traore - Basel to NYCFC

New York City FC spent all winter looking for a DP-level striker, and they appeared to have found their man when they agreed a deal for Schalke 04 star Moussa Sylla.

However, for reasons still not fully known, the club pulled out of a deal at the last minute and went into the season without a marquee forward signing. At last, they have now brought in a major reinforcement in Benie Traore.

Although primarily a winger, Traore can also play as a striker. The Pigeons paid €8.75m to acquire his services from Basel.

Kai Wagner - Birmingham City to Philadelphia Union

The best left-back in recent MLS history has returned to Philadelphia after just six months. In the offseason, Kai Wagner linked up with Tom Brady at Birmingham City and became a starter for the Championship club.

However, his family reportedly failed to settle in England, prompting a desire to return to the US. The Union didn't think twice when presented with the chance to bring one of their best-ever players back to the club.

Brais Mendez - Real Sociedad to Columbus Crew

The Columbus Crew endured a hugely frustrating start to the season, which eventually cost new head coach Henrik Rydstrom his job. In order to make up for it, the Ohio club have been hard at work in the market.

Their biggest acquisition of the summer is Brais Mendez, an attack-minded midfielder who has arrived for €6m after a very successful spell at Real Sociedad. The Crew have also signed River Plate defender Andres Herrera and former Man Utd centre-back Eric Bailly.

They haven't all had it their way this summer, though, as Diego Rossi, undoubtedly one of the best players in MLS this decade, has been sold to Monterrey for €7m.

Kyogo Furuhashi - Birmingham City to LA Galaxy

In a move that came completely out of the blue, the LA Galaxy have bought Birmingham City winger Kyogo Furuhashi, a 31-year-old Japan international who is replacing Gabriel Pec after his €10.5m move to Cruzeiro.

Furuhashi enjoyed a rip-roaring four years at Celtic, but he struggled to recapture his form at Stade Rennais and Birmingham, which is why the Galaxy has been able to sign the former €12m attacker for just €1.2m.

Written by

Tom Weber | Writer

Tom Weber is an experienced, multilingual sports writer who specialises in European football and American soccer as part of his freelance work for FootballTransfers.

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