Jesse Marsch’s education and background in MLS makes it no surprise that players from the league are being linked with Leeds United, and according to the latest reports, the Whites are interested in New York City FC star Taty Castellanos.
The 23-year-old Argentine has enjoyed a productive season following on from his record-breaking year in the Big Apple as Castellanos won the MLS Golden Boot and played a huge role in NYCFC’s first-ever MLS Cup triumph.
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Premier League interest has been high in Castellanos since the January transfer window, with West Ham and River Plate also reportedly keen on the South American, with Leeds now in the picture and seemingly leading the chase for the striker.
Indeed, MLS has become something of an underrated market for quality players, and with the summer set to see numerous top names from the division make their way over to Europe, here are five figures who could end up in the Premier League in the transfer window alongside Castellanos.
Gabriel Slonina
If there’s one MLS star aside from Castellanos who looks set to move to Europe this summer, it’s Chicago Fire wonderkid Gabriel Slonina, who according to Fabrizio Romano is wanted by Real Madrid, with the likes of Chelsea also keen on the teenager.
An MLS regular already and tipped to be the USA’s next great goalkeeper, Slonina could be a smart signing for many Premier League sides this summer given how rare it is for a player in his position to be playing consistent football at just 18-years-old, even more so that the youngster stands at 6’4”.
Diego Palacios
MLS’ main transfer strategy in the past few years has been to sign talented South Americans, develop them, and then flip them to Europe for a profit, with Miguel Almiron the best example of such a practice, and Los Angeles FC defender Diego Palacios could be next to make such a move.
22-years-old and already a full international with Ecuador, Palacios joined LAFC in their infancy and has developed into a fine left-back. Whilst a move to the Premier League is yet to be reported, it seems to only be a matter of time before the youngster is linked with a move across the Atlantic.
Djordje Mihailovic
A player signed by Thierry Henry for CF Montreal, US international Djordje Mihailovic has always been tipped as a talent who could one day become something special, and in the past 12 months, the attacking midfielder has been just that.
The 23-year-old has bagged eight goals and four assists this season after a career-best 18 G/A 2021, and with reports suggesting that Everton, Leeds United and Newcastle United are all interested in Mihailovic, the attacker could be playing in the Premier League sooner than you think.
Lucas Zelarayan
The main theme for this list and MLS transfers to Europe, in general, have been that the players who move are either in the developmental stage of their careers or just about to hit their prime, yet in the case of Lucas Zelarayan, the Columbus Crew star turns 30 this month.
Indeed, the Armenian international has only been in MLS for two years, but the playmaker’s performances have been so good that it is quite surprising that Zelarayan has not yet moved to Europe. And for a Premier League side missing that creative spark, the Crew no. 10 could be the perfect instant fix for this problem.
Jesus Ferreira
Leading the goalscoring charts for any striker is an immense source of pride, even more so when it’s for your hometown club and you’re a 21-year-old attacker, such is the current tale of FC Dallas star and USA international Jesus Ferreira.
The forward has been on a tear this season following the departure of last year’s MLS golden boy and fellow Dallas star Ricardo Pepi, and this summer, Ferreira could be the next promising striker to head to Europe and ideally the Premier League, where the versatile attacker could be a sensation.
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