Transfer Roundup: Messi and Bellingham Make Big Splashes, Pulisic Rumors Swirl

Lionel Messi and Jude Bellingham may have landed, but the summer window is just getting started.

Without any major men’s soccer tournaments this summer, there was a concern the transfer window would drag along until September. And yet, in the first 10 days of June, the three biggest names expected to move have already landed with new teams.  

Last week, we covered how Karim Benzema’s back-and-forth with Real Madrid ended in a mega move to Saudi Arabia, and how that move could have repercussions in the forward transfer market. This week, it’s Lionel Messi and Jude Bellingham making the headlines for their blockbuster moves.

But amid all of the excitement, other major moves and inklings were circulating. Here is a roundup of the week’s biggest transfer rumors and signings from around the world.

Lionel Messi

There was the hope of a Barcelona reunion and then the draw of major Saudi money, but in the end, it was Inter Miami that won the Messi sweepstakes. The draw of commercial revenue deals with Apple and Adidas, the rumored promise of a future MLS ownership stake (not too unlike David Beckham’s initial deal) and the lure of living at his residence in Miami was just too much for Messi to ignore. MLS ticket prices and sales have already soared and jersey orders are expected to do the same after news of Messi’s two-and-a-half-year deal was reported. 

To say this is a monumental move is an understatement, and to compare it to any other event in American soccer history is a futile effort. MLS is in an entirely different position than when Beckham joined the LA Galaxy in 2007, and Messi is not even six months removed from leading Argentina to the World Cup.

Christian Pulisic will likely wait until after USMNT duty this month before deciding on his club future.  :: IMAGO/Icon Sportswire

Christian Pulisic

The USMNT star is entering a critical summer in his club career. Transfer insider Fabrizio Romano reported Pulisic has the “green light” from Chelsea to leave this summer. Newcastle, Juventus and AC Milan have all been rumored suitors as Chelsea looks to unload several players from its bloated squad. But with Pulisic on Concacaf Nations League duty with the U.S., don’t expect any moves to be announced over the next week. The 24-year-old did speak on the subject at USMNT camp, however.

“It has been an interesting journey for me at club level,” Pulisic said, via BBC. “I thought it was a great couple of years and I think the last couple of years haven’t gone at all how I have planned them to be.

“From there this summer we are just going to have to see what happens, it is very early. As of right now I am a Chelsea player and I plan to go back but a lot of things can happen and change.”

Saudi Arabia’s Big Summer

The Saudi Pro League has already lured massive stars like Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo this year, and it’s sure to shake things up this summer in the transfer market. Reuters reported that after signing Benzema, Al-Ittihad has agreed to a move for Chelsea midfielder N’Golo Kanté in a deal worth more than $100 million a year. And the moves won’t stop there. German outlet Bild reported Toni Kroos and Thomas Müller declined Saudi interest. ESPN says Al-Ahli is ready to offer Riyad Mahrez €100 million ($107.7 million) to leave Manchester City. Meanwhile, Luka Modrić and Sergio Ramos are rumored to be mulling offers. 

Jude Bellingham

The English star’s move to Real Madrid was a long time in the making, but it finally came to fruition last week. Borussia Dortmund announced Real Madrid will pay €103 million ($110.9 million) plus potential performance bonuses for the midfielder, who will turn 20 years old this month. That figure puts him just behind Eden Hazard as the most expensive signing in club history. As we observed with Benzema’s move, when Real Madrid is involved with a big name, there is sure to be a domino effect. Maybe Kroos or Modrić feel compelled to leave, or maybe Borussia Dortmund makes a transfer splash of its own with the influx of cash.

Bellingham’s move to Real Madrid is the club’s second most-expensive transfer ever :: IMAGO/Buzzi

İlkay Gündoğan

After captaining Manchester City to the Champions League title and a historic treble (only the second in English soccer history), Gündoğan will now have to decide where he wants to spend what’s left of his best years. The 32-year-old is out of contract with City and is one of the top free transfer targets of the year. Naturally, given the club’s financial troubles, Barcelona is at the center of any free transfer news. However, L’Equipe reports PSG has entered the fray. The English media has circulated reports Arsenal is interested in making a move for the central midfielder, while there’s always a chance Man City finds a way to convince the Pep Guardiola-favorite to stay.

Alexis Mac Allister

After playing a key role in Argentina’s World Cup triumph in December, the Brighton midfielder continued a brilliant year by completing a £35 million ($44 million) move to Liverpool. With Liverpool missing out on Champions League, Jürgen Klopp is preparing a major overhaul at Anfield, and Mac Allister was a top priority in stabilizing an aging, oft-injured midfield that will see the departure of James Milner, Naby Keïta and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. After scoring 10 league goals for Brighton last season, the 24-year-old will have the pressure of wearing the No. 10 shirt with Liverpool.