Could one of the best American players be moving to MLS? Probably not, but maybe.
In a very carefully written story for The Washington Post, Steven Goff indicated that Fabian Johnson might be considering a move to MLS. It’s very unlikely, and would happen “probably not in the near future... maybe down the road.”
According to Goff, newly minted MLS club Atlanta United “explored the possibility... of acquiring [Johnson]”. However, another source “says there’s probably nothing to it.”
Johnson is under contract until the summer of 2018, but recently his playing time has fallen off ever so slightly. He began the season as a first choice player (lining up at five different positions), but has been a substitute in Borussia Mönchengladbach’s last three Bundesliga matches. After finishing in fourth place last season and qualifying for the Champions League, “A German Team” is currently stuck at 13th place with a mere three wins.
Going from the Champions League to MLS would be an interesting move for Johnson, and it would likely require a massive contract (by American soccer standards). He turns 29 next week, and there would surely be a plethora of suitors among the top four leagues interested in acquiring his services. Lest we forget, Johnson is a mere two years removed from being linked with a move to some Spanish team called Barcelona.
So it’s a transfer rumor, but written skillfully by probably the best American soccer writer (or top two at the very least). Johnson most likely isn’t coming to MLS anytime soon, but it shouldn’t be completely out of the blue if it does happen.