Top six players who can join MLS in 2026 summer ft. Lewandowski & Casemiro
Many top stars from European clubs can join MLS teams in the summer window.
Some of the most well-known football players in the world have made MLS their home since Lionel Messi joined Inter Miami in 2023.
While James Rodriguez, Son Heung-min, and Thomas Müller have all just relocated to the United States, Luis Suarez plays alongside Messi in Miami. We’ve looked at six more well-known players who might be joining MLS in 2026.
Top six football stars who can join MLS in the 2026 summer
6. Philippe Coutinho
Before joining FC Barcelona in January 2018 in a move for up to £142 million—still the third-highest-priced transfer in history—Philippe Coutinho played with Mohamed Salah at Liverpool.
He subsequently had stints with Bayern Munich, Aston Villa, and Al-Duhail before rejoining his boyhood club, Vasco da Gama. In Spain, he was unable to justify that price tag.
According to reports, LA Galaxy have spoken with his agents and may consider Coutinho as a replacement for Riqui Puig, who will miss the entire 2026 Major League Soccer season due to another ACL injury on his left knee.
5. Bernardo Silva
Bernardo Silva has won six Premier League titles, two FA Cups, four EFL Cups, a Champions League, and a FIFA Club World Cup during his trophy-rich tenure at Manchester City.
After losing out on Neymar and Kevin De Bruyne the previous season, the Chicago Fire FC still have space for another designated player as they aim to compete with those other MLS giants.
They are apparently willing to offer him a three-year contract worth up to £8.9 million annually after speaking with his representatives.
4. Mohamed Salah
Mohamed Salah has become one of the best Premier League players of all time after moving from Roma to Liverpool in the summer of 2017. Since the 33-year-old told the media in December that his relationship with Arne Slot has fallen apart, there has been much conjecture on his future at Anfield.
San Diego, who are supported by Egyptian-born billionaire Mohamed Mansour, will be among the favourites to sign him if he decides to move to America. After Hirving Lozano is removed from their books, they will also have a Designated Player spot open.
3. Robert Lewandowski
Robert Lewandowski, who is widely considered to be among the best strikers of his time, scored 42 goals in 52 games across all competitions to help FC Barcelona win the LaLiga title in the 2024–25 season.
However, Hansi Flick frequently chooses the adaptable Ferran Torres as his key striker, and he has only started eleven LaLiga games this season.
Barcelona are apparently aiming to replace him with either Julian Alvarez or Harry Kane when his contract expires at the end of the current campaign. The 37-year-old Polish international has been urged to join the Chicago Fire, who own his MLS discovery rights.
2. Casemiro
Casemiro is set to depart Old Trafford when his contract ends in the summer, even though he has been a notable player for Manchester United in 2025–2026.
According to reports, the 34-year-old would receive a rich last contract if he moved to the Saudi Pro League, but former teams FC Porto and Sao Paulo are hoping to re-sign him on a free transfer.
The United States will also become a possible destination, as the Brazilian international, who was recently on vacation in Miami, is reportedly drawn to the lifestyle around the Major League Soccer games.
1. Antoine Griezmann
With stints at Real Sociedad, FC Barcelona, and Atletico Madrid, Griezmann has scored 204 goals in 552 LaLiga games during his whole professional career in Spain.
The former France international, however, has never concealed his love of American culture or his ambition to play Major League Soccer before he retires.
Since Orlando City have the initial claim to the forward’s MLS discovery rights, they are in the greatest position to sign him. Ricardo Moreira, general manager and sporting director, has also gone to Spain to work on the agreement.
Will Antoine Griezmann leave Atletico in 2026?
Yes, he could leave the club in the 2026 summer window.
Will Mohamed Salah leave Liverpool in the 2026 summer window?
There are speculations that he could leave in the summer.
Which club will Casemiro join in the summer window?
MLS, Saudi Arabia, and Brazil are possible destinations for the midfielder.
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After earning a bachelor's degree in mass media, Rajarshi began his career as a sports writer in 2019, driven by his passion for sports journalism. He has been working in the field for over six years. A devoted fan of Lionel Messi and Barcelona, Rajarshi has been involved in sports since childhood. Before turning his focus to journalism, he even represented his college at the state level. Along with covering football, he enjoys playing the game, watching movies, and experimenting with new recipes in his spare time, as cooking is one of his favorite hobbies.