Six players Charlotte FC could sign to replace Pep Biel
By Brian Maurer
Angel Correa (Photo courtesy of Marca)
Charlotte FC announced they would not make Pep Biel’s loan deal a permanent transfer. This opens up a Designated Player spot for Charlotte’s winter window.
The MLS transfer windows have been record-setting since Lionel Messi joined in the summer of 2023. Since his arrival, 10 of MLS's top 30 all-time transfer fees have been paid. Three of MLS’s top 10 all-time transfer fees have happened since the Argentine Legend arrived. FC Cincinnati announced they will be signing Kevin Denkey this winter, becoming MLS’s all-time largest transfer fee.
Expectations for Charlotte’s next DP signing should be high as the Messi Effect is in full swing and having a major impact on the league’s transfer windows. Using the criteria of transfer market value, age, league, and role from the recent top MLS transfers I was able to find several players that could fit for Charlotte as their DP replacement for Biel.
Transfer market value and age
Based on Transfermarkt’s player value estimations, MLS had 10 transfers since the summer with an estimated player value of €5 million or greater. Marco Reus was the only one out of those transfers over 30 years old. The other nine were between 24-29. Charlotte should target a DP in their prime and/or a market value above €5 million to keep up with some of the top trends happening in MLS.
League
Of MLS’s most recent top 10 transfers based on player value, four came from a top-tier league (three in Europe, one in South America), five came from a second or lower tier in Europe, and one was out of contract. Charlotte should likely be targeting options in top-tier leagues in Europe and South America, and players on expiring contracts. The second or third tiers in Europe also seem to be options based on the recent top MLS transfers.
South American and Scandinavian leagues are generally good winter window targets because their schedules line up with MLS better than the top leagues in Europe.
Role
For the top 10 recent transfers to MLS, their role varied depending on which tier they were from. If the player was transferred to MLS from a lower-tier club in Europe, like Denkey, they were generally one of the club’s top performers but they had a market value far higher than the rest of the squad. This led to the transfer because clubs like Cercle Brugge do not recruit market values as high as Denkey’s. They sell the player if their market value gets that high.
If the player was from a top-tier club in Europe or in South America, like Aleksei Miranchuk, then their minutes were generally a bit more limited, and were looking for an opportunity to get more regular minutes. This is when MLS clubs have an opportunity to make a move for first-tier players.
If Charlotte FC is going to get their €5 million+ Designated Player to replace Biel they will likely need to find a club looking to transfer one of their top players who is above that club's typical player valuation, or they will need to find a player who is looking for a step down from a higher tier.
Besides these four criteria that were just laid out one additional variable is contract length. The longer the contract the more likely the club and player have an established commitment to work together. Using that logic I also made sure to not include any players who had contracts running longer than 2026.
Here are six players that could be on Charlotte FC’s watchlist based on the criteria transfer market value, age, role, and league:
Franco Cristaldo (28) - AM - Gremio
Franco Cristaldo (Photo courtesy of Lucas Uebel)
Cristaldo would be a tricky one to get worked out. He is one of Gremio’s top performers this season, but his starts in Brazil’s Serie A have dipped slightly in 2024. Still a regular contributor, one of the reasons he might be available at the end of the season is if the club likes their new young attacking midfielder, Miguel Monsalve, who they brought in during the summer.
The Argentine midfielder also might be interested in a change of scenery as Gremio has not been performing well this season. He would likely cost a steep fee as he still has a contract that runs through 2026.
Because Cristaldo plays in Brazil, their season is about to wrap up so the opportunity to negotiate and make an offer should match up well for both Gremio and Charlotte if this were a move that was deemed beneficial to both parties.
Leonardo Fernandez (26) - AM - Toluca
Leonardo Fernandez (Photo courtesy of Estefania Leal)
Fernandez is currently on loan with Club Atletico Penarol. Toluca FC has loaned him out the past two years so he could be available once the season in Uruguay ends. Fernandez is coming off a strong season on loan for Penarol with 35 goal contributions (18g/17a). He has a contract through 2026 with Toluca which could increase the transfer fee price tag.
With all the moving pieces during the winter, Fernandez could be available, especially because Toluca’s Jesus Angulo is having a strong start to his season in the midfield. Unless Toluca envisions a role for Fernandez when he comes back from loan for the Liga MX Clausura then there should be an opportunity for a club to negotiate and put an offer in which would be ideal timing for a team like Charlotte before their 2025 season gets underway.
Ruben Vargas (26) - LW - FC Augsburg
Ruben Vargas (Photo courtesy of FC Augsburg)
Vargas is a long shot as he still plays in a top-tier European league and is in his prime. This season his role has changed a bit as he picked up an injury in September, forcing the club to adjust. His contract also expires at the end of this season so it depends on Augsburg’s commitment to him past the 2025. If they are considering moving on then there could be an opportunity for a club like Charlotte to make a bid on a Bundesliga player in his prime.
Angel Correa (29) - RW - Atletico Madrid
*Picture shown above
Charlotte FC has advertised itself as being an extremely ambitious club, and even if many of those ambitions have fallen through, some big names have been discussed this past year.
Correa would be one of the big-time signings in all of MLS history, and it's a bit surprising his name has not been thrown into the rumor mill like Antoine Griezmann and Paul Pogba.
The Argentine attacker’s minutes have been greatly reduced this season and there are rumors of other clubs, like Crystal Palace, being interested in Europe. The fee would be very steep, and it is a long shot as other big-time clubs and leagues appear to be in the mix, but money talks and Charlotte appeared willing to drop $20 million on a transfer fee last summer. If the opportunity is there, Charlotte should be willing to splash the cash for Correa.
Harry Wilson (27) - RW - Fulham
Harry Wilson (8) - Photo courtesy of Fulham FC
Wilson is a very intriguing candidate for Charlotte for multiple reasons. The Welshman is a Premier League player who will be familiar with Dean Smith. He is also a former teammate of Tim Ream, who just joined Charlotte this past summer, and is a standout chance creator at the English Championship level which should translate well to MLS.
During his 2021/22 Championship season, the Welsh winger had 20 assists for Fulham FC. This year he has barely been able to crack 20 minutes in a game during Premier League play. It seems Wilson might not quite be at the level of England’s First Tier which should bode well for a club like Charlotte who already has a connection to the player. It would be a steep price as well, but it would be a statement-of-intent type of signing which is something the Crown needs to make.
Gabriel Barbosa (28) - CF - Flamengo
Gabriel Barbosa (Photo courtesy of Getty Images)
Barbosa plays striker, so signing him as a Designated Player does not replace the traits of Biel like the other potential candidates mentioned before. But, Barbosa is going to be a free agent this winter so several MLS clubs should be interested in his services. The Brazilian is an elite goalscorer who put over 30 goals away three times for Flamengo, including 43 goals during the 2019 campaign.
Charlotte would likely have to make some more adjustments to their roster for Barbosa to fit, but when a player like this has the potential to be available on a free transfer it is most definitely worth the inquiry.
