It's no secret that Cristian Roldan's absence has been catastrophic for the Seattle Sounders during the club's ongoing six-game losing streak. With his return now on a multi-week timeline and Hassani Dotson now also picking up an injury, it's time for some transfer-mongering regarding ways to strengthen Seattle's midfield.

This isn't completely an original idea; my co-host Ari Liljenwall has been arguing recently that the club needs to sign a new No. 6 to take the mantle as the club's midfield general of the future.

Do I actually expect Seattle to sign any of these players? No! As Brian Schmetzer shared in his post-match press conference after losing a fifth straight in Philadelphia: "If your resources are such, we're not going to go out in this window and replace five guys, for a group that started out 7 [wins], 3 [losses], 3, [draws]."

Even if they do make a move, Seattle have seemed hellbent on signing a striker for the last two summers, and with the club reportedly targeting Danish No. 9 Casper Tengstedt, I doubt they have the budget to pursue both forward and midfield reinforcements.

But this isn't about whether any of these moves actually materialize. When your resources are as such, sometimes it's just fun to dream!

Hamza Choudhury


Why should the Seattle Sounders sign Hamza Choudhury?

For starters, Choudhury has the chance to do something awesome: come to MLS and convince Cavan Sullivan to represent Bangladesh. Choudhury is an aggressive, high-energy defensive midfielder who has spent the last few years loaned between multiple EFL Championship clubs. Similar to Roldan, Choudhury plays in a double pivot system and likes to cover a lot of ground. He is solid in possession and has a solid defensive work rate. Not to mention, he is a ground-duels beast, which Brian Schmetzer absolutely loves.

Do the Seattle Sounders have a chance of signing Hamza Choudhury?

Leicester City have fallen to England's third tier EFL League One. With a wage of around $2.6 million, it makes sense why they've been loaning the player out to push off his salary. Choudhury is set to be the fifth highest-wage player on the team this year and will become a free agent next year. Carrying a player on that wage in the third tier is an absolute financial impossibility. If they can convince the 28-year-old to come to MLS on a loan with a purchase option, it seemingly could be a win-win for Leicester and Seattle.

How likely is it the Seattle Sounders will sign Hamza Choudhury?

The Sounders would need to open up a DP roster spot or hope the new MLS roster rules are passed, as Choudhury's wages would blow past max TAM. It's hard to imagine them doing that. It would also take a lot to convince Choudhury to come to MLS. But these are the types of moves and rumors that would make fans excited again.

Darko Nejasmic


Why should the Seattle Sounders sign Darko Nejasmic?

I just saw some of you flinch – an Eredivisie veteran midfielder. But this time he didn't play for Real Salt Lake! Nejasmic is a holding midfielder known for his ability to play long balls and distribute play while staying firm defensively. At 6'1", he's an aerial duels winner, which Brian Schmetzer has noted the Sounders have struggled with in recent matches. I could see Nejasmic being a really good pairing with Snyder Brunell in the double pivot, allowing the youngster to be more creative going forward. I think Nejasmic would thrive in MLS, as we have seen with many Eredivisie midfielders.

Do the Seattle Sounders have a chance of signing Darko Nejasmic?

While salary numbers are not completely transparent, it seems like Nejasmic is making between $300k-$450k per year. That is a salary Seattle would likely need to increase to lure him away from NEC Nijmegen, who signed Nejasmic in January 2025. Even with a salary increase, Nejasmic could easily fit within the team's current salary cap on a TAM contract, with no need to open a DP spot.

How likely is it the Seattle Sounders will sign Darko Nejasmic?

The biggest problem with this move is it would likely require spending a transfer fee in the low millions. There's no sign Seattle is interested in doing that. The club has not paid a cash transfer fee not supplemented by Garber Bucks since the $7.5 million transfer fee for Pedro De La Vega in January 2024. The Sounders would need to use General Allocation Money to cover the transfer fee but could keep Nejasmic at TAM level.

All Star Giveaway

Mykola Mykhaylenko


Why should the Seattle Sounders sign Mykola Mykhaylenko?

Let's start with the fact he has one of the best-sounding names I have ever heard. Mykhaylenko is a highly effective ball-winning midfielder and can pivot into a deep-lying playmaker or box-to-box midfielder when needed. He gives me the most Roldan-based vibes, able to secure the midfield while also creating with an insanely strong work rate. Mykhaylenko underwent knee joint surgery on his left leg in June but is expected to return to match fitness in August, so he's a quintessential Seattle Sounders target in that regard as well.

Do the Seattle Sounders have a chance of signing Mykola Mykhaylenko?

I haven't seen any transfer buzz around Mykhaylenko and he is currently sitting behind two veteran starters in the position of choice. I think MLS would be a really good place for him to break out and could be super beneficial for both club and player. The good news is that Mykhaylenko's wife has shared the couple dreams of leaving Ukraine. The bad news is Dynamo Kyiv are notorious for being hard to make deals with and likely see him as a future star.

How likely is it the Seattle Sounders will sign Mykola Mykhaylenko?

I think this pedigree and price point are exactly what Seattle should be targeting for this position. This is another young player that you can use the MLS roster mechanics to keep at a TAM level. Even if you spend on the high side of his reported value at $2.5 million and double his wages to around $800k, you are still rocking a TAM player. His high upside and solid floor is exactly what you need. Sit him behind Roldan for a few seasons and he might just become your next midfield star.

Fredrik Hammar


Why should the Seattle Sounders sign Fredrik Hammar?

If Seattle are looking for a new Iron Man, Hammar is a legitimate engine, playing 3,360 minutes last year. Hammar plays as a dedicated midfield anchor and matches that ground-covering defensive pressure that can feed the Sounders counter-press. The kid legitimately looks like a young Osvaldo Alonso.

Do the Seattle Sounders have a chance of signing Fredrik Hammar?

This would be the biggest uphill battle. Hammar is currently the captain of KV Mechelen and is legitimately a core part of their midfield. His age and pedigree would command a pretty beefy premium that the Sounders absolutely could not afford. Hammar is absolutely a player to track, though.

How likely is it the Seattle Sounders will sign Fredrik Hammar?

If they're able to lure Hammar away from KV Mechelen, I question if they are ready to sign a player in that position on an $800k+ salary cap hit. Hassani Dotson hasn't been effective this season on a similar number, but I don't think the club is ready to give up on him just yet.