6 CanMNT players who still need a move this transfer window

It has already been a huge summer for Canadian men's national team players. 

Jonathan David joined Juventus, Tajon Buchanan made a permanent move to Villarreal, Mathieu Choinière signed with LAFC, Ismaël Koné is off to Sassuolo on loan, Luc de Fougerolles was loaned to F.C.V. Dender, Daniel Jebbison will spend the season on loan at Preston North End, Nathan Saliba moved to Anderlecht, and Joel Waterman was traded to the Chicago Fire. 

But with time still remaining in the window, at least a few more moves are expected, with a couple of CanMNT players perhaps needing a change of scenery in order to be at their best for a crucial club campaign ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. 

Here are six players who could still benefit from a move ahead of the European transfer deadline on Monday, September 1. 

Derek Cornelius, Marseille 

Cornelius’ case is an interesting one, because there is an argument to be made both for staying and moving, as was well-stated by Alexandre Gangué-Ruzic in his Breakdown on the player this week. 

On one hand, Cornelius had an excellent first season with the French club, and fighting for a spot isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Especially with the UEFA Champions League this season there will be a lot of potential minutes on offer – even if he was unused during their opening match of the Ligue1 season. 

But Cornelius is an incredibly important player for this national team, and if he doesn’t think he will get minutes, or that they will come frequently enough, it might be time to find a spot where he will. He has been linked to a move to Spain in recent weeks, a league that would certainly suit his talents well. 

Canadian men’s national team manager Jesse Marsch recently visited Cornelius in Marseille, where they discussed his future and how they can put him in the best situation this season. It could go either way, but there would be no surprise if he wasn’t with Marseille in a week’s time.  

Stephen Eustáquio, Porto 

This one would perhaps come as a bit of a surprise. Eustáquio has been a fixture in the lineup of the Portuguese giants since 2022, making 141 appearances in all competitions. With them, he has won three Taça de Portugal trophies and the league once. 

But having come off the bench in the first two matches continues a concerning trend when it comes to his minutes with the club in his natural position, especially toward the latter half of last season, where he played several games as a central defender in an experimental back three. 

This one all depends on finding the right fit, and a club and level that can help Eustáquio further progress as a player while offering him minutes at a level that is consistent with his abilities. At 28, he is more than capable of starting for a team in a top-five league. If he doesn’t think that playing time is going to come at Porto this season, it might be time to move on. 

Of this list, he is unquestionably the least likely to move, especially during this window. But it isn’t out of the question, nor should its potential value be dismissed. 

Jamie Knight-Lebel, Bristol City

As far as the World Cup roster goes right now, the 20-year-old Knight-Lebel is very much on the bubble, especially following the emergence of Luc de Fougerolles this summer. Knight-Lebel played just 36 minutes so far this year across the Concacaf Nations League finals, Canadian Shield and Concacaf Gold Cup.

Minutes have been equally hard to come by with Bristol City in the Championship over the years as well, and minutes are exactly what Knight-Lebel needs if he wants to prove to Jesse Marsch that he should be in his World Cup squad. The Montréal-born central defender had an outstanding season last year with Crewe Alexandra in EFL League Two – so perhaps he is ready for a loan deal at the next level. 

A move to a side in League One could help make his case for continued inclusion, or even an opportunity outside of England, as de Fougerolles took by heading to Belgium. Either way, Knight-Lebel needs minutes if he wants to keep a spot in the Canada squad, and it doesn’t look like those are on offer this season at Bristol. 

Cyle Larin, Mallorca FC 

This one seems inevitable, as multiple reports for weeks have indicated that Larin has requested a move after not feeling like he was part of the plans at Mallorca for this season.  

Larin was not in the lineup for Mallorca’s 3-0 loss to Barcelona in their La Liga opener, and there are multiple reports now indicating he has received interest from other clubs within Spain’s top division – including Valencia. 

The 30-year-old scored seven times last season, and the case has always been that when he starts consistently, goals follow in solid numbers. Now he needs to find another opportunity, whether in Spain or abroad, at a good level where he will have the chance to earn that starting role. 

Larin’s spot at the 2026 World Cup is pretty secure in some capacity. But if he wants a starting spot, he will need to find a way to match the impressive club form of players like Promise David and Tani Oluwaseyi. The opportunity to do that no longer seems likely at Mallorca. 

Tom McGill, Brighton and Hove Albion 

After signing a new two-year contract with Brighton in May, the 25-year-old McGill still hasn’t made a first-team appearance with the club. 

He appears to still be behind starting goalkeeper and Dutch international Bart Verbruggen, as well as English veteran Jason Steele in the pecking order. So, unless he is going to get a look in cup competition, his path to first-team minutes seems unclear. 

Sticking around this season and training with a top team like Brighton could be positive for his long-term career, but minutes are paramount in a World Cup year. After making 25 appearances on loan in League Two last season with MK Dons, another loan deal will likely be crucial if he wants to fend off other candidates for that third goalkeeper position. 

A move higher up the English pyramid, and another strong season, would go a long way toward securing that case. 

Niko Sigur, Hajduk Split 

Of all of the players on this list, Sigur’s “need” for a move is among the least pressing. He has been getting consistent minutes for Hajduk Split, a good club at a decent level, and even spent recent matches in central midfield – an important position for the national team. 

But with Hajduk Split already out of European competition, falling to Albanian side Dinamo City in the third qualifying round, there isn’t much more for Sigur to accomplish in Croatia. 

Plus, speaking to The Athletic’s Joshua Kloke this week, Canadian men’s national team head coach was quoted as saying Sigur “desperately” wants a new challenge. Sigur had previously been linked to moves in Italy and England, but Marsch mentioned the Bundesliga as a potential fit and that it is a league that has interest in the player.