Championship Clubs Set to Miss Out on USA Star

22-year-old Griffin Yow looks set to become the focus of a transfer tussle in the final days of the summer transfer window, with the winger said to be assessing his options carefully, with a move to the MLS appearing favourable.

Another USMNT player that should’ve been at the Gold Cup.

Griffin Yow scores his first goal of the new Belgian Pro League season in Westerlo’s 3-1 win over Zulte Waregem. Also did a wonderful flick over the defender that led to goal. 🔥

[🎥: @DAZN_BENL]pic.twitter.com/4GldtWjtNh

— USMNT Otaku 🇺🇸 (@USMNTOtaku) August 3, 2025

The winger, who is yet to make his debut for the senior US Men’s National Team, impressed last season at Belgian side Westerlo, netting eight times and assisting three in 35 games. This form has piqued the interest of sides across Europe and the world, and the attacking sensation has a host of suitors.

Who is in for Griffin Yow?

In recent days, it has been reported that a number of sides across Europe have shown interest in acquiring the 22-year-old attacker, with Championship sides Sheffield United, Blackburn Rovers and Portsmouth all seeing him as an upgrade to their frontline.

There is also significant domestic interest, with Anderlecht, Club Brugge and Royal Antwerp, giants of the Belgian football scene, also investigating the possibility of a move for the American starlet.

🇺🇸 If Griffin Yow stays with Westerlo thru summer window, St. Louis City is a team to watch to make a strong push this winter.

Several clubs still want him before Euro windows close.

Contract expires next summer. Yow wants to leave before summer window closes. pic.twitter.com/s4NDDM9hVu

— Tom Bogert (@tombogert) August 23, 2025

However, information has also emerged that the State of Virginia native could prefer a move back to to his home country in order to play Major League Soccer (MLS), with St. Louis City emerging as the number one contender for his signature.

Yow has just one year left on his contract at Westerlo, and has made it public that he would like to secure a move away from the club before the end of the summer transfer window. Clearly, Westerlo would also like to sell him now rather than lose him for free next season, meaning a move looks increasingly likely in the next week.

Why the MLS?

For many, the MLS represents a drop in quality from major European leagues, and falls near to the standard of the Belgian Pro League, where Yow currently plays. So why turn down a potential move to the English Championship, where players can see their value sky-rocket by four or five times, in favour of a move to the Western Sections second from bottom side?

While the reason has not yet become clear, it looks to be a straightforward case of Yow wishing to return to his home country, instead of spending another season abroad - the winger already has four seasons at Westerlo under his belt.

However, the MLS is always growing in popularity and quality - this season’s championship is shaping up to be one of the most exciting yet, and with the added incentive of Yow potentially playing against the greatest of all time in his position in Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi, there are certainly a couple of factors that could be driving the move.