Why USMNT stars stayed put as January window closes quietly

The January transfer window closed with plenty of noise but little movement for the US men’s national team’s biggest names, as most of the headline figures ultimately remained at their clubs despite weeks of speculation.

While Alex Freeman completed a move from Orlando City to Villarreal, the rest of the window unfolded without major exits for the USMNT core, leaving several high-profile players exactly where they started the month.

That outcome came after a winter filled with links, stalled negotiations, and medical setbacks. From Europe to MLS, interest existed, but circumstances repeatedly intervened to keep deals from materializing.

January is often framed as a chance for corrective moves, whether for form, playing time, or ambition. For the USMNT, the timing mattered, with club stability and fitness increasingly important ahead of a demanding international calendar later in the year. In most cases, clubs held firm, injuries complicated talks, or regulations narrowed options.

The window began with early momentum, rumors circulating rapidly around familiar names. Pepi, Sargent, Musah, and Pulisic were all discussed across Europe, while MLS-based players attracted overseas attention. As the days passed, however, negotiations slowed, and leverage shifted toward clubs unwilling to sell mid-season.

Ricardo Pepi’s situation turned on fitness rather than form. The PSV striker has continued to score at a rate that suggests a higher-level challenge, and reports indicated openness to a move. A broken arm in January, though, disrupted advanced interest from Fulham and brought discussions to a halt.

Josh Sargent’s saga was more turbulent. After a failed summer exit from Norwich, renewed interest from Toronto FC escalated into a standoff that saw him sidelined with the Under-21s. Despite expectations of a resolution, the move did not happen, leaving Norwich holding the player and little leverage beyond refusal.

Yunus Musah’s lack of minutes at Atalanta shaped his stalled window. Having joined from Milan last summer, he found himself constrained by UEFA rules that limited his ability to represent another European club in the same season. With no move outside the continent and no return to Milan, Musah remains short of game time.

Christian Pulisic’s rumors never gained real traction. Links to Liverpool resurfaced but faded quickly, influenced by an injury concern and his apparent contentment at Milan, where his role remains secure.

Weston McKennie’s form added complexity rather than clarity. Despite uncertainty around his Juventus contract and mixed signals from the club hierarchy, his recent performances made a January exit unlikely. No suitable offer arrived, and Juventus opted for continuity over disruption.

In MLS, Diego Luna and Max Arfsten both drew European interest. Luna appeared close to a long-anticipated move after Freeman’s departure, but Real Salt Lake chose to delay any decision until summer. Columbus Crew took a similar stance with Arfsten, rejecting interest from Middlesbrough and prioritizing squad stability.

Antonee Robinson and Tyler Adams saw their windows shaped by health. Robinson’s steady return from a knee injury made a quiet month beneficial at Fulham, while Adams’ ligament injury effectively ended speculative links to Manchester United following a managerial change.

In the end, January proved more about restraint than reshaping for the USMNT. While some players may revisit decisions in the summer, the past month reinforced how timing, fitness, and club leverage can outweigh ambition, leaving many of the national team’s key figures set to finish the season where they began.