The USMNT Transfer Notebook tracks American player movements, with latest developments for those in the U.S. national team pool

We're just days away from the end of the transfer window and, at times, it looked as if sparks could fly in this final stretch. A substantial offer came in for one U.S. men's national team star, a move that could have been right up there among the biggest transfers ever for an American.

Now, even that seems somewhat uncertain due to an untimely injury, so we're back to where we were earlier in the week: wondering if there will be one final big flurry before the end of this window.

The player that suffered that inury? Ricardo Pepi. He went out and thrived in the Champions League midweek, scoring and assisting against Liverpool. Hours later, reports emerged that West Ham had submitted a big bid. Hours after that, it emerged that Pepi is dealing with a knee injury that could keep him out for some time. And in the final twist, PSV confirmed Sunday that Pepi had signed a new long-term deal.

As for Gio Reyna, reports have gone largely quiet around the USMNT midfielder. Either Borussia Dortmund is working very well in the shadows or there are no plans for a move. Either way, there should still be at least one or two moves announced before the window closes on Monday. The question is how big they are and if they include some of the USMNT's biggest names.

GOAL tracks all of the American player movements in the USMNT Transfer Notebook, a weekly feature covering the latest developments for those in the U.S. national team pool.

AFPPepi saga takes several turns

Will he or won't he? We finally have an answer. Pepi is set to stay at PSV through 2030, but it wasn't due to a lack of big-money offers.

GOAL confirmed on Wednesday that West Ham offered nearly $26 million to sign Pepi on an initial loan-to-buy offer. PSV promptly declined. West Ham were expected to come back in with an even larger offer, but that was before Pepi's recent injury. The American star sustained the knee problem during PSV's triumph over Liverpool in the Champions League, and it likely put an end to any hope of a winter transfer.

On Saturday, reports emerged that Pepi was set to sign a new deal with PSV, one that will tie him to the club until 2030. The team then confirmed on Sunday that the deal had been finalized.

It gives both the striker and the club a safety blanket going forward, although it'll likely do little to deter interest from the world's elite. PSV have locked down their striker, which will force a larger fee down the line. Pepi, meanwhile, will get paid for his successes. Everyone wins.

PSV's Earnie Stewart told GOAL earlier this month that the club didn't want to sell, and it seems that PSV won't any time soon. If Pepi keeps scoring, though? Well, the interest is already there, and a new contract likely won't do much to quiet it if he continues to play at a high level once he returns from injury.

AdvertisementDoes Dortmund target offer insight into Reyna status?

The Reyna situation has suddenly become uneventul. He's made his mark on the field, assisting a goal in Dortmund's midweek Champions League win, but the transfer rumors seemingly have dried up. There was a potential Milan link earlier this month but, outside of that, there haven't been many new reports or links that indicate Reyna may move this winter.

Still, a recent Borussia Dortmund link may be worth reading into, especially as it relates to Reyna if he does stay.

Sport Bild reported that Dortmund are pursuing rising French star Rayan Cherki, whom the club has been monitoring. The report says that Dortund may be priced out of a move but, if not, the club would prefer to add Cherki, who could provide cover either on the wing or as a No. 10.

Coincidentally, those positions are where Reyna plays when he does see the field. Those minutes are few and far between, and it looks as if there could be a potential roadblock added to prevent him from getting more. Dortmund clearly don't feel set in those two spots, which could be an indication of how they feel about Reyna and his ability to contribute.

It's one to monitor, particularly as Reyna's future remains in question.

Getty Images SportWiley on the move to the Championship

In a perfect world, Caleb Wiley would have taken big strides in Ligue 1. It looked as if he would early in the season, when he got his first few starts for Strasbourg. Injuries derailed that hope, though.

Now, his next step will reportedly come in the Championship as Wiley looks to get fit and in-form again in one of the world's most grueling leagues. Due to loan rules, Chelsea needed to recall a player from Strasbourg to facilitate another deal – that was Wiley. He'll now head to Watford, where he'll help the out-of-form Hornets push for a playoff spot.

Where will he play for them? Wiley is capable of playing anywhere on the left-hand side, so that always makes it interesting. This season, Watford have generally played a 3-4-2-1, which should indicate that Wiley will be their left-wingback. It seems to be a logical fit, one that will give the Hornets a bit more attacking juice on that side of the field.

Wiley is right on the fringes of the USMNT. A strong run in the Championship could certainly change that on the road to the 2026 World Cup.

GettyWild week for Tessmann

In recent weeks, Tanner Tessmann has been linked with a move away from Lyon. Now, he has a new coach, one that's a familiar face to USMNT fans.

Tessmann was named U.S. Soccer's Young Player of the Year earlier this week after serving as captain for the U.S. at the Olympics last summer. That run in France certainly helped earn him his move to Lyon, where it's taken time to get into the team. He's started just three games in Ligue 1, which is partly what prompted the rumor mill to start linking him with a return to Italy.

But throughout it all, Tessmann has remained a regular in the Europa League. He started in that competition on Thursday, featuring in a 1-1 draw with Lyon to make his sixth appearance in the Europa League.

Then, on Friday, Lyon confirmed the club's new coach: Paulo Fonseca. The Portuguese boss formerly managed Christian Pulisic and Yunus Musah in Milan, so he's plenty familiar with American stars. Will his arrival help Tessmann fight for a spot? Potentially, as a new set of eyes can always be beneficial for a young player fighting to move up the depth chart.

Either way, it was a wild week for Tessmann, who will now push for more opportunities under a new coach in the second half of the season.