USMNT transfers: Inter Miami’s Benjamin Cremaschi questions role, Norwich’s Josh Sargent linked to Leeds, Orlando’s Alex Freeman draws interest from Villarreal

Leeds United hold a "growing interest" in Sargent, and could return to the bidding table for the 24-year-old forward, according to TEAMTALK. Burnley, who just signed Chelsea's Armando Broja as a new striker, is still keen as well, but will not meet the Canaries' current evaluation of a reported $28.45 million, paving the way for Leeds to strike if they choose to do so.

Norwich City manager Liam Manning shared this week that the club is trying to prepare for a potential exit due to the nature of how important Sargent is to the club. 

“With the interest, you’d be mad to not do anything behind the scenes to be prepared,” Manning said. “So, of course, we want Josh to stay, but we have to be prepared if it doesn’t happen."

Handed the captain's armband for the 2025-26 season, Norwich doesn't want to lose their leader up front, but if a fee north of $25 million arrives, they could be enticed to sell.

However, Sargent is not the only striker on their radar. Grame Bailey reports Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Rodrigo Muniz are also on the Whites shortlist in addition to the American forward.

The U.S. international has two goals in two games across all competitions to begin the season for Norwich.

Cremaschi, who is in contention to represent the U20 USMNT at the U20 FIFA World Cup this fall, has questioned his role at Inter Miami publicly this week.

“I’m frustrated, I want to play," Cremaschi told reporters this week. "I think the most important thing for me is to be at a very high level, and to get there, I need minutes and experience. I’ve played very little in these recent games, and I don’t think it’s because of my level. 

"I feel good and imagine it’s for other reasons, but I’m going to keep trying. Hopefully, in the next month and the coming weeks, I’ll get to play a bit more. Sometimes it happens, and you have to be strong to get through those moments."

The 20-year-old, who was a member of the 2024 Paris Olympics squad, has long been the subject of European interest. Earlier this year, The Mirror reported that Juventus and Premier League sides were eyeing him this summer. 

Cremaschi has logged just 55 minutes over Inter Miami’s last four matches in MLS and Leagues Cup play.

The Daily Telegraph reported early this week that La Liga side Villarreal had agreed a "deal in principle" for Freeman. The report also added that multiple Premier League clubs are monitoring the 20-year-old defender, but that the Spanish outfit were leading the race.

GIVEMESPORT's Tom Bogert countered that report, though, stating that no agreement has been made yet, but that Villarreal is indeed one of the teams looking to bring Freeman to Europe this summer.

Freeman remains under contract for the next 18 months on a deal through 2027 with the Lions. Bogert added that Orlando "has an offer out" for Freeman to sign him to a new deal through the league's U-22 initiative - a roster mechanism that allows clubs around MLS to sign players under age 22 to more expensive contracts. 

Freeman started all six of the USMNT's matches at the Gold Cup this summer. 

TRANSFER TALK

+ Winger Cole Campbell remains the subject of interest in the Bundesliga, with Stuttgart emerging as a frontrunner. However, BVB are reportedly contemplating keeping him at the club or only letting him depart on loan.

 + Midfielder Gio Reyna remains a player who is expected to leave Borussia Dortmund this summer. Parma is the only club reportedly in talks with both his party and BVB, but no agreement has been struck. 

+ Yunus Musah is the subject of interest from Premier League sides Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest, as well as Serie A side Napoli. It remains to be seen if Milan will let him leave.

+ Defender Max Arfsten has reportedly greenlit a move to England with Middlesbrough. The Columbus Crew, meanwhile, last rejected a $3M offer from the Championship side.
+ Winger Griffin Yow remains linked to the English Championship. Portsmouth remain interested, while Belgian side Anderlecht and MLS side D.C. United are also reportedly keeping tabs.

+ Defender Bryan Reynolds has been linked with a move from Westerlo to Hoffenheim in the German Bundesliga.

COMPLETED DEALS

+ Malik Tillman is heading back to the Bundesliga, having completed a $47 million move to Bayer Leverkusen to serve as the club's Florian Wirtz replacement.

+ Patrick Agyemang finalized his big move to Derby County, but will be on the shelf for the first few weeks of his time in England after undergoing hernia surgery.

+ Midfielder Johnny Cardoso has signed a multi-year deal with Atletico Madrid, joining on a permanent transfer from Real Betis.

+ Caleb Wiley has completed a loan move to Watford, as he returns to the club after spending the second half of last season with them in the Championship.

+ U.S. Youth international Julian Eyestone has signed a new contract with Brentford in the English Premier League and has been promoted to the senior team for the 2025-26 season. He is expected to be a part of the U20 FIFA World Cup this fall with the USYNT.

+  Forward Damion Downs has completed a $9.5M transfer from FC Koln to Southampton in the English Championship.

+ Noahkai Banks, the 18-year-old American defender, has signed a contract extension with Bundesliga side Augsburg, keeping him at the club until 2028.

+ Defender George Campbell has joined West Bromwich Albion on a permanent transfer from CF Montreal.

+ San Diego FC has signed U.S. youth international Pedro Soma from Cornella in Spain.

+ Forward Tim Weah has signed for Marseille on a one-year loan from Juventus with an obligation to buy clause. 

+ Defender Kristoffer Lund has signed for Bundesliga side FC Koln, joining from Palermo in Serie B.

+ Goalkeeper Matt Turner completed a transfer from Nottingham Forest to Lyon in France, and has subsequently been loaned to the New England Revolution on a one-year deal.

GRADES:GOAL grades every completed deal involving USMNT players