'It could be difficult to leave' - Alexi Lalas understands Josh Sargent reportedly rejecting a move to Wolfsburg, but says it might undermine his USMNT chances

U.S. men's national team striker Josh Sargent's proposed transfer to German Bundesliga side Wolfsburg has reportedly fallen through. While acknowledging he understands why Sargent may have refused the move, former USMNT player Alexi Lalas said the decision could undermine the striker's prospects for Mauricio Pochettino's national team.

“That would have been a step up in terms of the way he would have been viewed, and not just by us on the outside - maybe even from a Pochettino perspective,” Lalas said on his State of the Union podcast. “But I also completely respect it. We talk so much about these players, and we're kind of isolated in the soccer part of it - and that other 22 and a half hours of the day when they have to live their life.

“And you have wives and girlfriends and kids... and school and community, and you know, everything surrounding that, if and when you are in a place that's comfortable. So I can understand that it could be difficult to leave.”

Even though he scored consistently in the Championship last season, Sarget was still overlooked by Pochettino for his recent Gold Cup roster.

“So is it the worst thing ever?” Lalas explained of the decision not to return to the Bundesliga. “No, except when it comes to Josh Sargent. Keep in mind that while he performed and scored goals in the in the Championship, he also at a certain point started to get overlooked by Pochettino

"The problem from an attacking perspective is you're going to get very, very few chances. If he stays or goes, regardless, this year I think is very, very important for him if he has any hope of getting back into the national team situation. And it's still a wide open position as we talked about when it comes to the striker position."

Despite scoring 15 goals in 32 Championship appearances last season, Sargent was left off the recent USMNT roster, missing out on the Gold Cup. Pochettino called it a "football decision."

For now, Sargent will continue with Norwich City as they begin their Championship campaign, aiming to secure promotion to the Premier League while maintaining his scoring form from last season.