MLS transfer news and rumors: Jack Rodwell, Crisitian Lopez, and more

The summer transfer window is inching closer and closer as a few Major League Soccer teams look to add depth to their rosters. Here is a round-up of the MLS transfer rumors.

With the halfway point of the 2018 MLS season in sight, there are several clubs looking to bolster their roster for the final push to the postseason. There were multiple rumors that grabbed the headlines in the league as some well-known faces from the footballing world surfaced.

Jack Rodwell was arguably the biggest name linked to MLS this week. It was reported this week that the English midfielder would not be re-joining soon-to-be League One side Sunderland for their upcoming season and leaving for good.

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Now, the 27-year-old is turning his attention towards the MLS, hoping to land a contract during the summer window.

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It was a rough season for Rodwell as he only made three appearances for Sunderland’s senior team. There is no word yet on if there are actually any MLS clubs interested in picking up the former Premier League champion, but a player of his caliber maybe hard to pass up for a club like DC United who has room to work within the Designated Player area.

Cristian Lopez to Montreal?

Reports are surfacing that the Montreal Impact have offered a contract to Spanish striker Cristian Lopez of RC Lens in France.

Lopez scored 10 goals in 33 appearances for Lens in Ligue 2, which is the second division in France. Montreal were linked to Fernando Torres in April and May but now that deal appears to be all but impossible, it would make sense for them to go after a player like Lopez.

But Lopez isn’t the only player the Impact appear to be interested in. Jimmy Briand of Guingamp in Ligue 1 is another player linked to the Canadian club.  He scored 11 goals in 37 appearances in the French top flight.

We know one thing is for sure, the Impact could certainly use a strong presence up front as they have relied on playmaker Ignacio Piatti for goals this season. Either would be a much-welcomed addition.

Galaxy look to add depth through Hamad

The Swedish media is reporting that Hammarby midfielder Jiloan Hamad is being looked at by the LA Galaxy as a possible addition to the roster. Hamad has scored six goals in 11 matches in Sweden’s top flight.

Other notable reports

Our own Tyler Hanson reported on Minnesota United’s interest in bringing in Romario Ibarra. Read more about the Ecuadorian international’s possible July move here.

Jhon Murillo of Benfica has surfaced as a possible option for MLS clubs this summer. He is likely to leave the Portuguese club and could land in MLS. There have been mixed reactions to the realistic possibility of this move, but, at 22, the young Venezuelan would be a big signing.

Honduran defender Emilio Izaguirre wants to move to MLS this season. The former Celtic player is currently not linked to any specific clubs, however.

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As the summer window looms, the transfer rumors will continue to surface. These are just the start of them, but there is some great work to be done in the coming weeks and months.