Five players who could join the MLS this summer

Cameron Smith

Updated: 26 May 2025 11:39 CDT
4 min read

The MLS continues to attract ageing stars from Europe and that transfer trend is likely to continue during the 2025 summer window.

The likes of Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets and Marco Reus are already plying their trade in America and they could be joined by a number of high-profile superstars later this year.

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Below, FootballTransfers runs through five players who could join the MLS this summer.

Luka Modric (Real Madrid)

Luka Modric will not extend his contract at Real Madrid this summer, leaving as the most decorated player in club history.

Despite being 39, Modric intends to continue his playing career after featuring for Los Blancos at the Club World Cup.

Fellow Club World Cup participants Inter Miami are credited with an interest in the Croatian legend.

Jamie Vardy (Leicester City)

Jamie Vardy will leave Leicester City as a club and Premier League legend this summer, having scored 200 goals in 500 appearances for the Foxes and winning the English top flight in 2016.

Vardy is expected to continue playing and has been linked with various clubs around England and Scotland. However, he could also be on his way stateside, where Charlotte FC, coached by Dean Smith, are said to be interested.

Vardy previously had a connection with US football as he was briefly a part-owner of Rochester New York FC, the successor of the famous Rochester Rhinos, the last non-MLS team to win the US Open Cup. They ceased operations in 2023, and it was later revealed that his stake was given to him for free as a publicity stunt.

Thomas Muller (Bayern Munich)

Thomas Muller will officially leave Bayern Munich after 25 years with the club when his current deal expires in July.

The Germany legend is now 35 years old, but he has no intention of retiring as things stand and he is already in talks to move to the MLS, with LAFC among the clubs interested in signing him.

Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce have also been linked with Muller in recent weeks, although a move to the USA seems slightly more likely right now.

Paul Pogba (Unattached)

Paul Pogba returned to Juventus amid much fanfare in 2022, but his career has nosedived since his decision to leave Manchester United and rejoin the Serie A giants.

He only played 10 games during his first season back at the club, due to injury, and he was then suspended from all footballing activity in September 2023 after testing positive for banned substance testosterone.

Pogba’s initial four-year ban was reduced to 18 months and he is now eligible to play competitively again. However, his Juventus contract was terminated in November and a move to MLS is possible, with DC United previously exploring a move to sign him.

Casemiro (Man Utd)

Casemiro still has one year remaining on his current deal at Man Utd and some reports have speculated that he will see out his contract before leaving Old Trafford in 2026.

However, the Red Devils are eager to sign at least one new central midfielder this summer and they could be open to selling Casemiro in order to purchase a younger replacement.

Several Saudi Pro League clubs have expressed their interest in the Brazilian, although a move to the MLS could also take place this summer as Man Utd aim to rejuvenate the squad at Ruben Amorim’s disposal.