The transfer window closed last week in Europe, but that does not mean the moves have stopped thanks to a busy and yet surprising flurry of action from Major League Soccer. And even with the market taking a beat in Europe, there are still teams preparing their list of summer targets and players preparing for new chapters of their careers. Let’s dive right into that in this week’s notes.
MLS surprises
Los Angeles Galaxy will soon officially announce the arrival of Douglas Costa, as the Brazilian winger will sign a deal that will keep him in California until 2023, with an agreement reached with Juventus for a loan deal until June and then extends the free agent contract for another year. Costa accepted despite being contacted by Flamengo for a new chance in Brazil after his chapter at Gremio who are now relegated into the second-tier of Brazilian football. Costa eventually gave his priority to LA Galaxy where he can be among the highest-paid players in MLS.
The Galaxy aren’t the only MLS team to make a splash. Chicago Fire, meanwhile, reached an agreement for Xherdan Shaqiri from Olympique Lyonnais. The French club will receive €7 million and will save Shaqiri’s salary after buying him for about €6 million from Liverpool last August. The player insisted on an experience in MLS and Chicago will soon be his next destination.
Atleti to Cash in?
There are no shortage of movements in Europe just after the closing of the January window. Atletico Madrid have put right back Matty Cash on their list for weeks, and he will be a serious target for a summer that is expected to see Diego Simeone make several new signings. Aston Villa didn’t want to release him for January, but Atletico Madrid will insist on Cash in the summer.
Cavani rumors
And La Liga could also be Edinson Cavani’s next destination, as the Uruguayan forward has chosen to complete the current season in Manchester — per Ralf Rangnick’s face-to-face request — but his contract will expire in the summer and Cavani will soon make a decision.
The rumors on River Plate being Cavani’s next club as a replacement for Julian Alvarez — destined for Manchester City as early as July — are not confirmed. In fact, Cavani has no interest in this possibility and the temptation of an experience in La Liga remains in the thoughts of the “Matador.”
Left back market
In Italy, Napoli are still working for Getafe left back Maxi Olivera which is the priority for next summer. Napoli tried to sign Olivera already in January but the Spanish club did not accept their proposal.
In theme with left backs, Nicolas Tagliafico wants clarity from Ajax and plans to leave the Eredivisie in the summer. The Argentine was on Barcelona’s targeted list for a January move but Ajax did not accept a loan with a buy option, always asking for a permanent move. Tagliafico is disappointed and his mission is to leave Ajax in June for a new opportunity.
Liverpool still after Carvalho
Finally, Liverpool are planning a new attempt for Fulham’s 19-year-old Portuguese rising star Fabio Carvalho, who is playing at excellent levels in the Championship. Carvalho was in Liverpool on transfer deadline day last week for a medical and was expected to sign before everything collapsed a minute before the window closed because the two clubs failed to sign contracts in time. Liverpool will not give up and will try again to sign Carvalho in June as a free agent as Klopp considers him a real talent.
