MLS in Data: MLS 2026 Transfer Tracker
*Image generated with artificial intelligence
Like Europe, the MLS summer transfer window is a perfect opportunity for football clubs in most leagues across Major League Soccer (MLS) to re-tool or completely re-build their squads. In MLS, however, this window is referred to as the “Secondary Transfer Window,” which runs from July 13–September 2, 2026 — right in the middle of the 2026 MLS season. (The Primary Transfer Window serves as the offseason transfer window.)
As of next year, however, the secondary transfer window will take place during the offseason due to the league changing its schedule to a European-style calendar ranging from August to May of the following year. (See our opinion piece on the pros and cons of this calendar change.)
Inspired by our Summer 2026 Transfer Tracker, for the first time ever , we are tracking all transfers completed during the Secondary Transfer Window by the 30 MLS clubs:
This tracker identifies the number of transfers among the these MLS and the total amount of US dollars spent and earned by these clubs within these leagues. That said, the tracker includes overlap in money spent due to intra-league transfers: players moving between clubs within a league.
The data presented below account for transfers completed and registered in Transfermarkt’s database.
Collective Transfer Spending and Revenue
As of August 15, 2026, clubs from Europe’s top five leagues have collectively spent €60.7 million on players during the 2026 Secondary Transfer Window. They have also generated €73.6 million in revenue during that period.
Top Spenders
Since the start of the window, New York City have been the highest spenders Columbus Crew and St. Louis City SC rank second and third in this category, earning €7.1 million and €5.4 million in revenue, respectively.
Figure 1 shows the amount of money spent and by the 10 most active clubs in this window. Transfers indicated in this figure also exclude permanent transfers containing an undisclosed fee, free transfers, loan transfers and loan terminations. It is worth noting, however, that these amounts solely include transfers with a disclosed fee; transfers containing undisclosed fees are not included. They also exclude loan deals that include purchase options.
Top Sellers
During the same period, Colorado Rapids generated the highest revenue among the 30 clubs, earning €14.8 million, solely due to the sale of Australian defender Lucas Harrington to newly promoted Premier League club Hull City. Columbus Crew and LA Galaxy rank second and third in this category, earning €13.5 million and €10.5 million in revenue, respectively.
Figure 2 presents the amount of money spent and earned in transfer income by the 10 most active clubs in this window. Transfers indicated in this figure also exclude permanent transfers containing an undisclosed fee, free transfers, loan transfers and loan terminations. Similar to the figure shown above, these amounts solely include transfers with a disclosed fee; transfers containing undisclosed fees are not included. They also exclude loan deals that include purchase options.
Notable Free Transfers
Although European transfers generally involve lucrative fees, most of MLS clubs’ major signings are free transfers, with the involved players coming to MLS after their contracts at European or other clubs expire.
The table below shows some of the most notable free transfers of players coming and leaving MLS during the 2026 Secondary Transfer Window.
| Player (Position) | Incoming Club | Previous Club (Country) |
|---|---|---|
| Eric Bailly (Defender) | Columbus Crew | Real Oviedo (Spain) |
| Casemiro (Midfielder) | Inter Miami | Manchester United (England) |
| Antoine Griezmann (Forward) | Orlando City SC | Atlético Madrid (Spain) |
| Angus Gunn (Goalkeeper) | San Jose Earthquakes | Nottingham Forest (England) |
| Vincent Janssen (Forward) | Portland Timbers | Royal Antwerp (Belgium) |
| Robert Lewandowski (Forward) | Chicago Fire FC | FC Barcelona (Spain) |
| Josef Martínez (Forward) | Columbus Crew | Club Tijuana (Mexico) |
| Alexandru Măţan (Midfielder) | St. Louis City SC | Panetolikos (Greece) |
| Sergi Roberto (Defender) | LA Galaxy | Como 1907 (Italy) |
| Allan Saint-Maximin (Forward) | Charlotte FC | RC Lens (France) |
| Alexis Sánchez (Forward) | CF Montréal | Sevilla FC (Spain) |
| Robert Taylor (Forward) | LA Galaxy | Austin FC (United States) |
