USMNT in the Premier League: Who’s here and who could join

Here are the Americans who have an outside chance of staying, but the odds are against them.

Folarin Balogun (Arsenal) – Just because they probably won’t be around doesn’t mean they aren’t Premier League level. Folarin Balogun could absolutely play a part for a Premier League side. It just won’t be with Arsenal. With both Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah in the striker position, Balogun will need to find playing time elsewhere. As The Top Flight has reported, Inter is a legitimate option for Folarin, and a deal is being explored. Balogun’s connection to the United States ends at his birthplace. He was raised in England to Nigerian parents and only just recently committed to The Yanks. Balogun scored 21 goals this past season at Ligue 1 side Reims, on loan from Arsenal. Perhaps a Premier League side may explore a deal should Inter not advance negotiations, but it is not probable.

Auston Trusty (Arsenal) – Trusty is probably the most slam-dunk guess on what American will not stay with their Premier League club. A native of Pennsylvania, Trusty has had MLS spells at Philidelphia Union and Colorado Rapids before his move to Arsenal in 2022. He joined Birmingham City on loan last summer and played a staggering 48 matches as a centre-back for the Blues. It is undecided where Trusty may head next, but it is not very realistic to think he will have a place with the Gunners.

Alex Mighten (Nottingham Forest) – Born in the US, Mighten grew up in Nottingham. A product of the Forest youth system, Mighten was a regularly used forward for the club in the Championship between 2020 and 2022. After promotion, he saw himself phased out of the squad and loaned out to Sheffield Wednesday before being recalled this past January. He made his Premier League debut against Newcastle on August 8th, 2022. Mighten has yet to play for the USMNT at any level, while he has youth caps for England.

Zack Steffen (Manchester City) – Once a regular call-up for the USMNT, Steffen will be looking to be just that again. Steffen spent last season on loan at Championship side Middlesbrough and is unlikely to upset Stefan Ortega as number two behind Ederson. There’s zero reason for Steffen to stay as the third-stringer for City, and even then, the club has Scott Carson on the books too. It’s hard to gauge where Steffen could end up, whether on loan or with a permanent transfer. Could a Premier League transfer be on the books? It’s unknown whether or not he could be a starter in the league, but perhaps being a backup again is plausible. Steffen moved to City in 2019 from MLS side Columbus Crew.

Alex Borto (Fulham) – Born and raised in New Jersey, Borto has an outside shot of earning some bench appearances for Fulham next season. A loan to a lower-level EFL side shouldn’t be out of the question, but Borto is likely to be the starter for Fulham’s U21s. Borto has a cap for the USMNT at the U20 level and was a part of the squad for the 2023 U20 World Cup.