MLS teams have generated increasingly significant transfer fees from selling players to clubs abroad, particularly in Europe. Atlanta United's sale of Miguel Almiron to Newcastle United for over $21 million set a record, while other notable outgoing transfers include Alphonso Davies from Vancouver Whitecaps to Bayern Munich ($13.5M), Brenden Aaronson from Philadelphia Union to Red Bull Salzburg ($6M), and various other sales in the $5-15 million range.
The ability to sell players at a profit has become an important part of the MLS business model. Clubs invest in young talent, develop them in a competitive league environment, and then sell them to European clubs at a premium. This sell-on model, pioneered by clubs in South America and smaller European leagues, is increasingly embraced by MLS front offices as a sustainable path to financial health and roster competitiveness.