The MLS is Back tournament is still on course, but teams’ officials do not waste time when it comes to reinforce their squads. And many of them will try to make a great impact by signinghigh-profile playersin the future transfer windows. Negotiations are not easy, but not impossible either.
In fact, many world-class stars have played in MLS since the league’s first season. Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Wayne Rooney and Thierry Henry are just some of the big names who have performed in the competition. Javier ChicharitoHernández , who joined Los Angeles Galaxy in early 2020, is the most recent big MLS signing.
That’s why we made this list of soccer starswho could come to Major League Soccer in the future. Some of them even publicly expressed their desire to join the league.
Daniel Sturridge
Daniel Sturridge of Trabzonspor AS during a Turkish Spor Toto Super Lig match (Getty).
The Englishstriker, who was a member of the 2019 Liverpoolsquad that clinched the UEFA Champions League trophy last year, is a free-agent player. His contract with Turkey’s Trabzonspor -his last club- was terminated in March 2020.
David Beckham wants the forward to reinforce Inter Miami‘s attack next season. Also, Sturridge said he interested in joining the MLS in the future. However, there are European teams that will try to sign him too.
Luis Suárez
Barcelona’s Luis Suárez celebrates after scoring a goal (Getty).
Which team would not like to have Luis Suárez in attack?The Uruguayan striker knows that he is problably living his last season at Barcelona and, as a 33-year-old player, doesn’t look with bad eyes a move to the MLS.
His compatriot Edinson Cavani rejected Inter Miami’s offer to join the team, so Suárez will surely be one of Beckham’snext targets. Even Seattle Sounders’ Nicolás Lodeiro talked in late 2019 about the possibility of seeing Suárez in the MLS in the near future: “(Suárez) wants to come to MLS. He is always asking me about the league. Sooner or later he’ll come to MLS”.
Antonio Valencia
Antonio Valencia celebrates after scoring a goal for Manchester United (Getty).
Former Manchester United player Antonio Valencia could also join the MLS in the neat future. Apparently, the Ecuadorian received offers from the Major League Soccer, Argentina and Italy after finishing his contract with Liga de Quito.
However, the MLS would be his favorite choice. Valencia had even talked to his former teammates Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Wayne Rooney about the MLS and the possibility of playing there, in 2019.
Gonzalo Higuaín
Juventus’ Gonzalo Higuaín (Getty).
This could be Gonzalo Higuaín‘s last season at Juventus. The Argentine striker is one of the main targets of many MLS teams for the next transfer window, and a move to the Major League Soccercould be a wise and attractive choice for him.
Los Angeles Galaxy are one of the teams that will try to convince Higuaín to join the club next season. Some rumours also linked the striker with Inter Miami, but DC United seems to be the main competitor, as his brother Federico Higuaín plays for the team.
Mario Balotelli
Mario Balotelli of Brescia looks on scoring goal during a Serie A match (Getty).
Mario Balotelli might be one of the most controversial players in the world, but nobody can’t deny his talent. The Italian forward is looking for his best form at Brescia after the competition hiatus and some MLS teams have already asked about his current contract situation.
One of the interested teams are Los Angeles Galaxy, as Balotelli would not extend his contract with Brescia. Rumours have linked the striker to many MLS teams in the past years.It will only be a matter of time to see if he finally decides to join the league.
James Rodríguez
James Rodríguez is one of David Beckham’s main target for the next transfer window (Getty).
David Beckham wants to build an Inter Miami side capable of fighting for the MLS Cup in the comming seasons, and he is already trying to convince world-class players to join the team. And one of his desires is to sign Colombia’s James Rodríguez.
The attacking midfielder does not have much playing time at Real Madrid and a move to the Major League Soccer would guarantee him a leading role at any team. However, some Premier League sides, such as Manchester United, are also interested in signing the Colombian player for next season.
Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo of Juventus celebrates after scoring a goal (Getty).
Let’s get something straight: Cristiano Ronaldo has a contract and will stay with Juventus. However, it doesn’t mean that he could not move to the MLS sometime in the future. The Portuguese superstar is still showing all his scoring abilities every time he plays for the Italian side.
Orlando City starNani, Ronaldo’s former Manchester United teammate, said there’s a chance to see CR7 in the MLS, as they have talked about that possibility. But the truth is it will not happen any time soon.
