Potential Transfer Targets from the World Cup

As we reach the business end of the 2026 World Cup and we inch closer and closer to MLS starting back up, the Seattle Sounders have a medium-sized bucket of cash to spend this summer. With the summer transfer window officially open and the Sounders having both roster needs and said bucket of cash, the World Cup has provided a showcase for players who might be pining for that next move to this beautiful city. I've compiled a list of free agents looking for stability and young players who could continue their development here in Seattle.

Relebohile Mofokeng (LW/CAM)

National Team: South Africa

Age: 21

Club: Orlando Pirates

Transfer value: $2 million

Annual salary: $61.5k

Relebohile Mofokeng was a target for Minnesota United last year, but the club was unable to convince the young South African to get a deal over the line at the end of the season. Through the opening three games of the 2026 World Cup, despite being a winger by trade, Mofokeng has primarily played as a 10 and created five chances in 125 minutes. While he has not gotten on the stat sheet yet, his play and ability to drive the ball forward to create chances have helped South Africa move on to the Round of 32. At the club level, the young winger tallied 10 goals and 8 assists in 2,131 league minutes as he helped lead his side, Orlando Pirates, to the South African Premier Soccer League title. At 20, he led the team in both goals and assists, and his 18 goal contributions were the most in the league. Mofokeng certainly upped his shooting game, as in the previous season, he recorded 5 goals and 7 assists in 2,294 minutes. As overrated as a stat as expected goals is, he overperformed his xG this last season and still posted solid numbers for a winger, with a nice combination of taking his own shots and creating quality chances for teammates. He turns 22 in October, which means he's still eligible for a U22 contract. With Albert Rusnak on the wrong side of 30 and a contract expiring after the 2027 sprint season, it would be worth the gamble to bring him in before European teams start sniffing around.

Livano Comenencia (RB/CM)

National Team: Curacao

Age: 22

Club: FC Zurich

Transfer value: $1.2 million

Annual salary: $400k (estimate)

The Dutch-born former Juventus B and PSV youth player Livano Commenencia currently plays for FC Zurich in the Swiss Super League. Commenencia has impressed this World Cup, scoring Curacao's first-ever and honestly only World Cup goal in the 7-1 loss to Germany in the opening round. Naturally a right-back, Comenencia showcased exceptional tactical maturity at the World Cup by inverting into midfield. His composure on the ball allows him to act as an auxiliary playmaker in the middle of the park. He possesses a high level of technical skill and a proactive defensive style. His first thought upon winning possession is to advance the play and break lines, making him a major asset in transitional phases. Commenencia demonstrates excellent energy, strong defensive engagement, and the ability to carry the ball from deep in midfield. His recent World Cup performances highlighted his ability to stay active and break up attacks despite playing against significantly stronger opposition. Commenencia recorded the second-most interceptions in the World Cup after the group stage, with 10 before being eliminated. Kalani Kossa-Rienzi is the designated backup right-back for Alex Roldan, but with Cristian Roldan getting on in age, Hassani Dotson is not up to par, and with Petkovic out for the year, the Sounders are in need of some defensive solidity in the midfield, and I believe that Commenencia can bring that.

Jeremy Arévalo (ST)

National Team: Ecuador

Age: 21

Club: VfB Stuttgart

Transfer value: $3.5 million

Annual salary: $800k

Jeremy Arévalo, a young striker at VfB Stuttgart, recently joined the Bundesliga side after developing at Racing de Santander and Deportivo Rayo Cantabria. 

From a technical standpoint, Arévalo is a dynamic and decisive attacker. He is comfortable in possession, has a clean first touch, and shows good control in tight spaces. One of his standout qualities is his shooting ability, as he strikes the ball well with both feet and can threaten from different positions. He is also capable of playing the final pass or delivering dangerous balls into the box, adding value in the final third. He is quick and explosive in his first meters, enabling him to gain separation from defenders and attack space. Arévalo is an intelligent player who understands how to find space and exploit defenses. He can operate in different attacking roles, both wide and in more central areas, adapting to the team's structure, which fits the Sounders' desperate need for multifaceted players rather than specialists, but I digress. His off-the-ball movement is purposeful and calculated, helping him create advantages and get into dangerous areas. Mentally, Arévalo shows confidence, ambition, and a competitive mindset. He is not afraid to take responsibility in the final third and embraces physical challenges, which would suit him well in MLS.

Overall, Jeremy Arévalo profiles as a powerful, explosive, and technically versatile striker who honestly reminds me of Raul Ruidiaz and would be a fantastic addition for the Sounders, and could easily fight for minutes alongside Musovski and Osaze de Rosario.

Amir Razzaghinia

National Team: Iran

Age: 20

Club: Esteghal

Transfer value: $1.2 million

Annual salary: Unknown

Amir Razzaghinia is a traditional number 6 for Persian Gulf Pro League (PGPL) side Esteghlal and the Iran national team. He is highly regarded as one of Iran's rising stars and should be on the Sounders' watch list this summer. Razzaghinia began his development at the prestigious KIA Football Academy in Iran. He made a name for himself during his senior career after switching to Gol Gohar in 2024, where he scored 2 goals in 23 appearances. In 2025, he signed with Esteghlal, where he quickly secured a starting role in the midfield and has made a name for himself as one of the best midfielders in the PGPL at just 20 years old. Despite being one of the best midfielders in the PGPL, Razzaghinia's age likely kept him from seeing any minutes at the 2026 World Cup. The Iranian manager, Amir Ghalenoei, consistently refuses to play the younger players or anyone who's not one of his guys. In the long term, for the Iranian National Team, Razzaghinia is certainly one for the future at the base of midfield. However, as long as Ghalenoei is at the helm, he most likely won't be getting regular playing time in key matches anytime soon.

Now, where does he fit with the Sounders? For a 20-year-old playing in an arguably "weaker league", Razzaghinia's passing range and his ability to read the game from the midfield are impressive. With the war in Iran, it's hard to find definitive stats. Still, after watching previous Estaghal matches, his defensive performances were really solid, and the Sounders have been missing a traditional 6 who can help build out of the back, maintain possession, and relieve some pressure on the back line.

Krépin Diatta

National Team: Senegal

Age: 26

Club: Free Agent

Transfer value: $6 million

Annual salary: $3 million (estimate)

Krépin Diatta has been a peripheral figure for AS Monaco in recent seasons. It is currently available on a free transfer after not being offered an extension at the end of the season. Under Senegal manager Aliou Cissé, Diatta is assigned a dual role that utilizes both his attacking creativity and defensive diligence. When Senegal is in possession, Diatta's main job is to progress the ball in transition. He is one of the team's most effective ball carriers, tasked with dribbling the ball from the middle of the pitch into the final third. Unlike midfielders who progress the ball primarily through passing, Diatta's ability to run with the ball under pressure forces defenders to commit, thereby opening passing lanes for teammates like Sadio Mané and Ismaïla Sarr. In the final third, he is not expected to hug the touchline; he often makes late, untracked runs into the penalty area or provides cut-backs from the byline for onrushing attackers.

Without the ball, his duties are just as critical. He is a key part of Senegal's pressing structure. Diatta acts on specific pressing triggers—pre-determined cues, such as a sloppy touch from an opponent or a pass to a specific player—to initiate a coordinated press. He often acts as the secondary pressurizer, supporting the main forward to trap opposition defenders and force turnovers high up the pitch. This defensive work is not just about aggression; it ensures the team maintains its compact shape and prevents the right-back from being exposed. The Sounders have lacked this specific type of player, and the willingness and ability to play both sides of the ball at a high level could be key in unlocking the attack, which has been lacking all year. His salary could be a potential issue, but with the Sounders' DP contract dwindling, Waibel could offer a max TAM deal with a guaranteed DP salary after the 2027 sprint season.

Admittedly, I originally had a list of eight players; however, because I took too long writing this, two of them recently signed with new clubs, and the other is currently in talks to sign with a Premier League side. Be on the lookout for another transfer article or two throughout the summer transfer window, as we hope and pray to the universe that the Sounders make some moves to fill out the squad!