Two USMNT stars could be set for major moves over the course of this summer as speculation grows over their respective club futures.
Ricardo Pepi and Christian Pulisic were pivotal for their country as the US beat Mexico and Canada to secure a second successive CONCACAF Nations League triumph earlier this month. However, the forward duo have experienced contrasting fortunes at club level in the past year, which could have a bearing on where they end up plying their trade next season.
The American duo were both on target in the controversial 3-0 win over Mexico, with Chelsea winger Pulisic's brace particularly demonstrating the best of his qualities. His strike saw him take an opposition defender wide with a turn of his trademark pace, before he dispatched the ball into the bottom corner.
He would then double his team's lead after a driving run into the box, where he was able to get on the end of a nicely weighted cross. After a season where the 24-year-old has mainly watched on from the sidelines for his club, the double provided a refreshing reminder of his capabilities.
This came off the back of frustrating campaign in West London for the former Borussia Dortmund star, which yielded just 813 minutes on the pitch for the man who supporters once dubbed "Captain America". In truth, it was a season to forget for the club with interim manager Frank Lampard eventually taking them to a lowly 13th place finish in the Premier League.
As such, Pulisic appeared set on enjoying his time with the USMNT over the summer, with the change of environment allowing him to process his struggles over the past year. Before heading back to his homeland on international duty for the Nations League, he told ESPN: "It's been a really tough season for me personally and for our team of course at a club level.
"So for me it's just about coming in here and having a fresh start and being able to be a part of a team that hopefully can come out and win some games. So I'm really excited to be here and just to get some minutes on the field and just get back to being that confident player that I know I can be in and just find my footing again and just enjoying the game because it feels like it's been tough to do that lately."
However, after helping to deliver silverware for the US, speculation over his future is likely to not go away in the coming months, with the likes of Juventus, Napoli and AC Milan having been mentioned as possible destinations for him over the summer. The forgotten Blues ace has just one year left on his current contract, and new boss Mauricio Pochettino may be willing to cut his losses at a price of £20 million.
His USMNT teammate Pepi was able to round off proceedings with a strike of his own in the 3-0 win over Mexico and is expected to also be on the move this summer. The 21-year-old had struggled initially since his move to Europe with Augsburg, where he failed to find the net in 15 league outings after joining in 2021 from FC Dallas.
A loan move to Eredivisie side Groningen did seem to help to ignite the youngster's talents in front of goal, with the striker having notched 12 times in 29 appearances in the Dutch top flight. Such performances seldom go unnoticed at the top level and it is, therefore, not a major surprise to see giants PSV Eindhoven vying for his signature.
A move to the team which finished as runners up in the league last season now is expected to beckon for the Texan forward, with his successful loan spell having convinced the one time European champions to pounce, as per CBS Sports. On top of Pepi, his compatriot Timothy Weah could well be on the move this summer as well, with Juventus likely to win the race for his signature, according to Fabrizio Romano.
The Lille winger, now 23, previously turned out for PSG and Celtic but could be set for a switch to Turin this summer to the tune of $13.15 million (£10.3 million). The report contends that Juventus representatives are in advanced talks for the player's services following his Nations League success with the USMNT.
European giants Marseille and Sevilla had previously been mentioned as possible destinations for the 23-year-old son of Balon d'Or winner George Weah. After impressing on the wing and also as an auxiliary wing back for his current employers last season, it is possible that Juventus see the US star as a long term successor to veteran Juan Cuadrado.
