USMNT Star Poised to Shatter MLS Transfer Record in Historic Third-Largest Deal Ever

United States men's national team forward Josh Sargent is on track to become the priciest American acquisition in Major League Soccer history, as Toronto FC appears ready to secure his services from English Championship club Norwich City.

According to The Athletic, Toronto FC will acquire the 26-year-old USMNT forward for $22 million, with the transfer potentially reaching $27 million through performance bonuses. This makes Sargent the costliest acquisition in the club's history and, at minimum, the third-highest transfer fee in MLS history, with potential to claim the top spot.

This transaction follows a recent trend of skyrocketing transfer fees within MLS. Prior to the 2025 MLS campaign, FC Cincinnati established a new benchmark with a $16.2 million investment in Kévin Denkey from Belgian club Cercle Brugge, only to see that record broken by Atlanta United's $22 million acquisition of Emmanuel Latte Lath from Middlesbrough in England's second division.

LAFC quickly surpassed Atlanta's spending record during the 2025 summer window, paying Tottenham Hotspur $26 million for Son Heung-min.

However, Sargent represents the first American talent to join the league at such a substantial transfer fee. Toronto appears to have completed negotiations after initial reports surfaced in early January, starting with a reported $18 million offer below Norwich's valuation.

Most Expensive MLS Transfer Fees

Most Expensive MLS Transfer Fees

Sargent's Breakdown in Relations

Sargent's Breakdown in Relations

Sargent requested to be excluded from a January FA Cup fixture amid transfer speculation and expressed his intention to join Toronto.

Eventually, he was relegated to training with Norwich's U21 squad and hasn't featured for the senior team since, missing eight matches as his relationship with the Canaries deteriorated. Throughout this period, Norwich maintained he wasn't available for transfer, citing his contract extending through 2028.

Prior to his relegation, Sargent had netted seven goals in 22 league fixtures during 2025-26, adding to his Norwich tally of 53 goals across 146 league appearances over five seasons.

On the international stage, Sargent has earned 29 caps for the USMNT, netting five goals and participating in the 2022 World Cup. Nevertheless, he hasn't found the net for his country since 2019 and faces an uphill battle for the 2026 World Cup squad, competing with Folarin Balogun, Ricardo Pepi, Haji Wright and Patrick Agyemang, who are likely positioned ahead of him.

Toronto FC's Standards Rise

Toronto FC's Standards Rise

With Sargent joining the roster, Toronto FC's prospects for 2026 shift dramatically. They now face expectations to return to the MLS Cup playoffs and possess a reliable central striker who has been missing since Jozy Altidore's departure in 2022.

The American will spearhead the attack under head coach Robin Fraser, aiming to connect with fellow American Designated Player Djordje Mihailovic, who contributed four goals and four assists in 10 appearances after Toronto acquired him for a reported $8 million during summer 2025.

With these two driving the offense and another USMNT representative, Walker Zimmerman, anchoring the center-back role as a free-agent addition, any result short of playoff qualification would constitute a major letdown.

Simultaneously, ensuring Sargent and the others meet their potential will be crucial for the club's reputation, following their previous expensive investments in Lorenzo Insigne and Federico Bernardeschi that underperformed.

Beyond MLS competition, Toronto FC will also pursue its first Canadian Championship crown since 2020.