Update: Sept. 6, 2020
Following the original August 3 report by MLSsoccer.com's Tom Bogert (below) that U.S. international right back DeAndre Yedlin could be on the move before the end of his final season at Newcastle United, a new report by CBS Sports' Roger Gonzalez has multiple MLS clubs making inquiries in the hope to land him on a free transfer.
Yedlin is on the Allocation Ranking List, which means that if he were to return to MLS, the club at the top of the Allocation Order — currently FC Cincinnati — would have priority to sign him, while any other interested club would have to trade for the No. 1 spot.
August 3, 2020
By Tom Bogert
MLSsoccer.com
US international fullback DeAndre Yedlin is entering the final year of his contract with English Premier League side Newcastle United, but a move could be on the cards even earlier than the expiration of his deal in just under a year's time. According to a source, there have been no contract renewal discussions between the player and the club, which could precipitate a move as early as this summer.
Yedlin, who just turned 27 in July, is “very interested” in a return to MLS, and has even held informal talks with a few clubs, though a move is unlikely at the moment. A source went as far to say that MLS is “at the top of the list” for Yedlin, but the outlay on a transfer fee and contract would likely mean he would need to be signed as a Designated Player, which could ultimately impact the timing of his return to the league.
Vancouver Whitecaps’ Ali Adnan is the only fullback in MLS is on a senior DP contract.
If Yedlin stays at Newcastle for the 2020-21 season, he’d be eligible to sign a pre-contract agreement with another club in January and depart for free in the summer of 2021.
Yedlin joined Newcastle in 2016 and has made 115 appearances with the club between the Premier League and the Championship. He originally left MLS for Tottenham in 2014, but only made one Premier League appearance with the London-based club. He also spent time on loan with Sunderland in the 2015-16 season.
A Homegrown player for the Seattle Sounders, Yedlin turned professional in 2013 and made 56 appearances in MLS between 2013-14. He has made 62 appearances with the US national team.
Yedlin is on the Allocation Ranking List, which comprises select US national team and elite US youth national team players playing outside of MLS, as well as players transferred outside of MLS for a fee of over $500,000. That means that if he were to return to MLS, the club at the top of the Allocation Order — currently FC Cincinnati — would have priority on signing him, while any other club interested would in all certainty have to trade for the No. 1 spot.
