The biggest cash-for-player trades in MLS

Analysis

Tom Weber | Writer

Over the course of its existence, Major League Soccer has frequently tinkered with its transfer regulations.

MLS is unlike any other division in soccer. While this is certainly a unique selling point, it is not without controversy - or confusion. The league has some of the most complex roster rules in the sport, making it difficult to understand the machinations at play when it comes to transfers.

There's General Allocation Money, Targeted Allocation Money, draft picks, international spots, Designated Players, Young Designated Players, U22 Initiative Players, homegrowns, supplemental roster spots and more.

Thankfully, MLS is expected to simplify its convoluted and stringent rules ahead of next year's calendar shift, and it could potentially do away with certain things like allocation money altogether. These changes have not been announced yet, however.

The most recent major amendment to MLS's transfer rules came ahead of the 2025 season, when the so-called "cash-for-player trade" system was created, allowing clubs to complete intra-league deals without the use of allocation money or other assets.

Essentially, it allows clubs to purchase players from other teams using the real cash of their owners rather than MLS's monopoly money allocation money. At first, "cashfers" were limited to two incomings and two outgoings per team, but this restriction was removed ahead of 2026.

So, with the Seattle Sounders having just completed one of the most significant cash transfers in league history with the signing of Dejan Joveljic, let's look at the biggest cash-for-player trades in MLS...

Tai Baribo - Philadelphia Union to DC United ($4m + $600k)

DC United were the original MLS dynasty, but they haven't tasted success in ages. Repeated structural revamps have not changed the franchise's fortunes, and the latest rebuild has also yet to bear fruit.

Having lost Christian Benteke ahead of the 2026 season, DC went all-in on creating a completely new-look attack with two big-money signings: Louis Munteanu from Cluj in Romania and Tai Baribo from the Philadelphia Union in a $4m cash trade plus $600,000 in bonuses.

Despite DC's hit-and-miss form, Baribo has managed to keep up his very impressive scoring levels. He bagged 16 for Philadelphia as they won the Supporters' Shield in 2025, and he could, remarkably, still comfortably better that number at DC in 2026.

Luciano Acosta - FC Cincinnati to FC Dallas ($5m + $1m)

One of the greatest MLS players of the past decade, Luciano Acosta was a talismanic figure for FC Cincinnati. He was named league MVP in 2023 as the Ohio franchise won the Supporters' Shield.

The Argentine produced double digits in both goals and assists in three of his four seasons at Cincinnati, so when he joined FC Dallas for $5m plus $1m in add-ons in early 2025, it was a blockbuster move.

However, Acosta didn't last long in Texas. He was traded to Fluminense at a loss just six months after his arrival, having produced five goals and just one assist.

Dejan Joveljic - Sporting KC to Seattle Sounders ($6m)

Dejan Joveljic became the very first player to move in a cash trade when the LA Galaxy decided against handing him a Designated Player contract and instead sold him to Sporting KC for $4m in the 2025 offseason.

Joveljic has been one of the best out-and-out finishers in MLS, but he does have his limitations, so the Galaxy felt that one of their premium roster spots would be better used on a more well-rounded player.

The Serbia international went from the reigning MLS Cup champions to the worst team in the Western Conference, but he still netted an impressive 18 goals in 2025 and eight in the first half of 2026.

The injury-decimated Seattle Sounders have now acquired him in a $6m deal, offering Sporting not only a profit but also the chance to free up a DP slot in what is shaping up to be a huge rebuild for the club.

Djordje Mihailovic - Colorado Rapids to Toronto FC ($8m + $1m)

Eyebrows were raised when the Colorado Rapids agreed to trade star midfielder Djordje Mihailovic to Toronto in the summer of 2025, but they were ultimately left with little choice.

The midfielder requested the trade after the Rapids rejected two offers, and truth be told, the money on offer was very good, with TFC paying a sizeable $8m plus a further $1m in possible bonuses.

In hindsight, it looks an even better deal for Colorado as Mihailovic missed several matches earlier this year with a nasty injury. He hasn't really managed to be as influential for Toronto as he was at his previous club.

Evander - Portland Timbers to FC Cincinnati ($12m + $150k)

Comfortably the largest cashfer since the implementation of the mechanism in 2025, Cincinnati signed Portland Timbers superstar Evander after a lengthy saga in February 2025 for a whopping $12m plus a further $150,000 in potential add-ons.

It has been money well-spent - despite the fact that the Brazilian seemingly doesn't see entirely eye-to-eye with Cincy's other star attacker, Kevin Denkey. The attacking midfielder has been nothing short of sensational for the Ohio franchise since joining.

He produced 18 goals and 15 assists in 32 matches in his debut year in Cincinnati, and he could still better that tally in 2026. Evander is undoubtedly one of the most devastating and exciting players in MLS.

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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