With the Primary Transfer Window now closed, it presents the perfect opportunity for The Transfer List’s first dedicated review of the MLS. A total of 37 ‘significant’ transfers were completed during the window. For the MLS, significant transfers are classed as those in which a fee of £500k or higher was paid.
In total, these transfers totalled £90.18m with an overall positive variance of £0.42m. This reflects an average transfer variance of 0.46% across the MLS, meaning that the League’s dealings in the 2020 Primary Transfer Window are the most accurate that we have ever recorded. The most notable dealings will now be broken down below.
Most efficient player transfer
We start with the players and more specifically, the most efficient transfer of the window, which was calculated to be DC United’s purchase of Edison Flores from Morelia for £4.04m.
Despite the Peruvian’s impressive club form in Mexico, contributing seven goals and four assists in 21 appearances during the first half of the 2019/20 season, it is the player’s international experience that contributes the majority of his valuation. With 51 caps for the national team at just 24 years of age, Flores was a key member of the side reached the final of the Copa America in 2019. As Peru currently sit 21st in the FIFA World Rankings, The Incas are considered to be competing close to the highest level of international football and therefore Flores’ international caps provide a significant contribution to his £19.52m valuation, producing a positive variance of £15.48m for DC.
Most accurate player transfer
The most accurate transfer of the window was found to be Philadelphia Union’s purchase of Jamiro Monteiro.
For the 2019 MLS season, Monteiro was brought to Philadelphia to join the Union on loan where he immediately became a key part of the side that reached the Eastern Conference semi-finals before being knocked out by Atlanta United. Over the season, the midfielder made 29 appearances, scoring four goals and setting up a further eight. This was enough for Philadelphia to make the transfer permanent for the 2020 season.
Due to the low international standing of Cape Verde, little value is provided by Monteiro’s seven appearances for the national side. Therefore, the majority of the player’s valuation is contributed by his 29 MLS appearances last season. This provided a total value of £1.27m, just £0.35m lower than the £1.62m paid by Philadelphia for his services.
Least efficient player transfer
Finally, we assess the least efficient transfer on the window, which was found to be Kemar Lawrence’s departure from the New York Red Bulls.
The Jamaican was a regular throughout his time in New York, making 118 appearances in four seasons for the Club. In Lawrence’s final season with the Club, he made 24 appearances and scored one goal before moving to Europe with Anderlecht.
Similarly for the national team, since making his debut at 21 years of age, Lawrence has continued to be a regular feature for Jamaica. So far, the left-back has made 58 appearances for the Reggae Boyz.
Thanks to the player’s considerable experience in the MLS and at international level, as well as still being at his peak at 27 years of age, the Jamaican is valued at £11.34m. Despite this valuation, the Red Bulls allowed Lawrence to leave for Anderlecht for just £1.15m. This contributed a negative variance of £10.19m and was identified as the least efficient transfer of the 2020 MLS Primary Transfer Window.
For a more detailed breakdown of the transfers above, as well as our findings on how each individual Club performed throughout the window, take a look at the original article here: http://thetransferlist.co.uk/index.php/home/updates/2020-mls-primary-transfer-window-review
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