Top 5 free agents ahead of 2024 Major League Soccer season

As the MLS secondary transfer window has closed shut, several high profile players around the league have opted to not extend their stay at their current clubs, meaning they'll hit the market as free agents at the end of the year.

MLS brought in the best player in the world earlier this summer when then free agent Lionel Messi decided to take his talents to south beach and join Inter Miami.

There's no denying that teams around the league have taken advantage of acquiring experience free agents from across the pond, but now the opposite may be occurring with several teams from Europe looking at upcoming MLS free agents ahead of the 2024 season.

Here are five free agents that look certain to walk away from their current teams...

Julian Gressel - Columbus Crew

The dynamic playmaker has bounced around several teams in MLS - and has impressed with every team he's been on. He still remains Atlanta United's all-time assists leader despite last playing for the club in 2020 as he helped them capture the 2018 MLS Cup and 2019 US Open Cup, and has had stints with D.C. United and Vancouver Whitecaps before being traded to Columubs Crew earlier this summer.

As teams are reluctant to use a Designated Player (DP) spot on Gressel, he could very well continue the theme of joining a side for a couple of years before leaving for a new adventure. But one thing's for sure, Gressel has showed his quality wherever he's played at, and there could be a host of teams trying to acquire his signature this upcoming offseason.

Carlos Vela - LAFC

A rebuild could be on the way for LAFC, and that means potentially parting ways with legend Carlos Vela. The 34-year-old has amassed 92 goals in 170 appearances across all competitions and has helped delivered the 2022 MLS Cup title as well as the 2019 and 2022 Supporters' Shield triumphs.

But with Vela not getting any younger, does another team in the league offer him a DP contract? Only time will tell, but at the least, Vela could be utilized in a more central role as a center-forward as he definitely knows how to find the back of the net.

Miles Robinson - Atlanta United

Robinson is the youngest player on this list, and the 26-year-old reportedly has an offer on the table from Atlanta United and looks set to test the market when the year draws to a close. He's made over 120 appearances for the Five Stripes in all competition, and Eredivisie side PSV Eindhoven are reportedly interested in signing him on a free transfer.

Despite Atlanta's poor defense in 2023, Robinson is still a top notch center-back. The USMNT figure, like a lot of young players in MLS, has aspirations to play in Europe one day. With Robinson being one of the top defenders in the league, could Atlanta convince him to put pen to paper on a new deal in the near future?

Darlington Nagbe - Columbus Crew

Another former Atlanta United player makes the list, as Darlington Nagbe is an experienced central midfielder that has been around MLS. The 33-year-old brings balance and order to the midfield, and brings winning experience after taking home the MLS Cup with Columbus, Portland, and Atlanta in recent years.

It seems like Nagbe will remain in MLS when free agency hits, but where will he end up? Any side that is looking to add a calm player on the ball in the middle of the park should be interested in Nagbe's services.

Nicolas Lodeiro - Seattle Sounders

Nicolas Lodeiro has been an icon for Seattle Sounders after joining from Boca Juniors in 2016. The attacking midfielder has 41 goals and 78 assists in 181 league appearances for the Western Conference side, and has lifted the Concacaf Champions League as well as the MLS Cup twice.

At 34-years-old, Lodeiro still has a few years left in the tank, and he could be of great use to a team looking to add a new No. 10 playmaker. If he does indeed leave Seattle, it would be a sad sight for Sounders supporters given his tremendous impact on the club.

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