Major League Soccer's 2018 Primary Transfer Window closes Tuesday, May 1 at 11:59 p.m. CT.
After the deadline, MLS clubs will have to wait until July to sign players under contract in another country or make any MLS trades involving players. The Secondary Transfer Window opens on July 10, and runs through August 8.
Check back here for any final rumors, reports and announcements made before deadline day.
Monday, 4:30 p.m. ET
The Chicago Fire are looking to acquire an international slot, sources have told MLSsoccer.com.
Chicago currently have all eight of their international slots filled, though four of those slots are occupied by rookies Mo Adams, Jon Bakero, Diego Campos and Elliot Collier.
MLSsoccer.com's Paul Tenorio reported earlier this month that Chicago are interested in acquiring Spanish forward Fernando Torres from Atletico Madrid. One source corroborated that report on Monday, though they cautioned that if Chicago are able to land Torres, it might not be until the secondary transfer window opens in July due to Atletico's ongoing run in the UEFA Europa League.
MLSsoccer.com also reported earlier this month that there is mutual interest between the club and Spanish goalkeeper Iker Casillas, who is currently wrapping up the Portuguese season with FC Porto. Casillas and Porto don't yet have the league title sealed, but they are five points ahead of both Benfica and Sporting Lisbon with just two games remaining. They'll clinch the title with a home win on Saturday against 14th-place Feirense.
Even if Torres or Casillas don't join Chicago or don't join the team until July, the Fire will likely have to eventually clear an international spot for injured midfielder Michael de Leeuw. The Dutch attacker is currently on the disabled list, which nullifies him from occupying an international slot, but he will once he returns later this summer from the torn ACL he suffered last year.
He could theoretically take the slot of Aleksandar Katai if the Serbian's loan isn't extended beyond June 30. But even if de Leeuw takes Katai's slot, Chicago will need to open another slot in order to sign additional internationals. If they're unable to acquire a slot in a trade, they could open one by sending one of their rookie internationals – all four of whom played in Saturday's 2-2 draw at Toronto – on a season-long loan to USL affiliate Tulsa Roughnecks.
Monday, 2:45 p.m. ET
Contrary to a report, the Philadelphia Union do not have any interest in Honduran attacker Rubilio Castillo, a league source told MLSsoccer.com on Monday.
Honduran outlet El Once HN reported on Saturday that Castillo would leave Honduran club Motagua for MLS, naming the Union as one of the top candidates to acquire the 26-year-old.
Castillo has four goals in 19 career appearances with the Honduran national team.
Monday, 11:30 a.m. ET
A league source told MLSsoccer.com that the Chicago Fire was indeed the team that offered $750,000 to the New England Revolution for Lee Nguyen. Chicago's interest in Nguyen has been known for some time as they look for a potential playmaker to add in midfield. New England turned down that offer, as Twellman reported. It is not clear if the Fire have come back to the table regarding Nguyen or whether that offer was the last communication between the two clubs.
—Paul Tenorio
Monday, 9:30 a.m. ET
The trade market isn't all that hot, but sources have said that three Western Conference teams have been actively shopping one player each in recent weeks. None of the players have played a big role this year, but all three have some promise and could do well in the right situation. I can't yet name the players involved, but they include a young Homegrown, a versatile MLS veteran and a recent international signing that could use a change of scenery.
—Sam Stejskal
Monday, 9 a.m. ET
Sources have told MLSsoccer.com that the New England Revolution are listening to offers for Lee Nguyen, but that their asking price remains high – likely close to $1 million in allocation money. It was reported by ESPN's Taylor Twellman earlier this month that New England turned down an offer of $750,000 in allocation for Nguyen.
—Sam Stejskal
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