When we look at the MLS, it is mostly that the league accepts talent from Europe, rather than the other way around. Of course, there are still MLS players that go to Europe, but the flashiest transfers are usually from Europe to the MLS. Now, the MLS has taken strides in terms of their talent. There are some great players in North American clubs and some of them are scouted by European clubs, and big ones. Gaga Slonina, a keeper for the Chicago Fire, is reportedly a massive target of Real Madrid. On that note, let's look at three MLS stars who could make the move to Europe in the 2022 summer transfer window.
MLS Stars to move to Europe
Carles Gil
Gil is a Spanish midfielder that is currently playing for the New England Revolution. He is a bit of an unusual case, as Gil spent most of his career playing in Europe. In his native Spain, Gil played for the likes of Deportivo La Coruna, Valencia, and Elche, and even had a brief spell playing for Aston Villa in England. In 2019, after 18 league games in a season without a goal for Deportivo, Gil moved to the MLS and never looked back. He has been fantastic, winning a Supporters Shield with the Revolution, while also picking up two nods for MLS Best XI, one Comeback Player of the Year award, and one Landon Donovan MVP. With all of this success, Gil might be inclined to think he has done everything there is to do in the MLS.
One more important thing to mention is that Gil is 29 and will be 30 in November. While the MLS has treated the Spanish midfielder well, he might believe that this is his last chance to move back to Europe. Gil would be a fantastic signing for many clubs in Spain, from clubs like Betis and Sevilla, all the way to Valencia or even Barcelona, as he would be a more cost-efficient option. Gil is one of the best players that the MLS has to offer, so if a chance opens up for him to leave, especially if it is from a Spanish club, he will likely be gone this summer. Of course, he might stay and go for the MLS Cup with the Revolution, but it is more likely he will look for his last train to Europe.
Walker Zimmerman
Zimmerman is not a unique case, as many US and Canadian players spend their whole careers playing in the MLS. This premier defender and USMNT member is a great defender, especially for the standards of the MLS. He is a two-time Defender of the Year and he won those two awards back-to-back. He also has two MLS All-Star nods and three MLS Best XI appearances as well. Generally speaking, it is easy to say that Zimmerman overgrew MLS and this could be his last chance to play somewhere else when it comes to football on a very high level. He has been in the MLS since 2013, so a move to Europe could be interesting.
The main reason why Zimmerman could be interesting to European clubs is the lack of very good center backs in Europe. Specifically, a club that could be interested is Juventus. Juventus are losing a center-back this summer, as Giorgio Chiellini is moving to LAFC in July. Thus, to replace him in a cost-effective manner, Juventus might need to look at Zimmerman. If we closely watch the MLS, it is really not that different from major European leagues in some regards, so a transfer from the MLS does not carry a ton of risk, at least not more than an average transfer between European leagues. Zimmerman should definitely be an option for European clubs looking for a stable defender.
Valentin Castellanos
The first two players are both entering their prime, something that is not always the most attractive for European clubs purchasing in the MLS. If we look at the cases of Alphonso Davies or Tyler Adams, both were brought in young. Now, Castellanos is not that young, but at the age of 23, he is definitely younger than Zimmerman and Gil. Castellanos is a fantastic striker who has been great for NYCFC since he moved there in 2019. Over 100 league caps, and 44 goals, is the record of the Argentinian striker. Last season, he scored 19 goals in 32 games, and he already has seven goals in 11 apps this season.
The club that could look to bring in Castellanos is Arsenal. After losing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in January and now losing Alexandre Lacazette, Arsenal needs a striker and they need a young one they can build around. While buying in the MLS might not be as attractive to their fanbase, having American owners, especially ones that own a club in the MLS, might be a factor in the entire conversation. The reports say that the Gunners are waiting for Gabriel Jesus, but if they want to spend little money, get great production, and get a younger player, Valentin Castellanos is the guy they should go for.