Hot Take of the Week: Did Charlotte win or lose during the summer transfer window?
By Rylee McKinney (@rylees_roster)
Big names entered MLS this summer, and the transfer window has finally come to a close. From Robert Lewandowski joining the Chicago Fire to Antoine Griezmann moving to Orlando City SC, MLS seems to be gaining more star power every year.
Earlier in the season, Charlotte parted ways with left winger Wilfried Zaha, with both parties unable to agree on a new contract.
Then, Charlotte FC kicked off the MLS summer transfer window bringing on French forward Allan Saint-Maximin to a three-year Designated Player contract running through the 2028-29 season.
They then sold right winger Kerwin Vargas (24) on a permanent transfer to Brazilian Serie A club Athletico Paranaense for a reported fee of $6 million.
Dean Smith mentioned that he was hopeful the team would make another signing and that that player was likely to be a domestic. There has yet to be any confirmation on a new signing, but several younger Crown Legacy players have been spotted in recent training sessions.
With Allan Saint-Maximin as the only product of Charlotte's transfer window, we present the question: Did Charlotte FC win or lose the 2026 summer transfer window?
Argument for Charlotte winning the transfer window:
In just five matches, Allan Saint-Maximin has created nine chances, three of which were big chances, a second assist and an assist.
In selling Kerwin Vargas, Charlotte FC retains a sell-on percentage and can convert the transfer fee into allocation money for another high-level player when the time is right.
Saint-Maximin makes the players around him better, so now players like Liel Abada, Idan Toklomati and Rodolfo Aloko will feel like new signings because of the step up they can take.
Argument for Charlotte losing the transfer window:
Saint-Maximin is in to fill the gap left by Wilfried Zaha; they haven't added to the roster.
This summer was an opportunity to make big moves to push the club towards two MLS Cup runs before the next summer window.
Other teams ahead of them and around them in the Eastern Conference made more moves to fill out their rosters.
Nashville adding Elias Saad to an already strong attack
New England adding Jack Harrison and Daniel Gazdag
Inter Miami adding Casemiro
Chicago adding Robert Lewandowski
What's your take? Head over to @Topbin90 and drop your take in the comments! Then tune in to the TopBin90 Podcast Monday at 8:00 AM to hear the hot topic of the week — your take might just get featured!
