Philadelphia Union Rejected Bid for Malik Jakupovic
The MLS club declined an offer from Borussia Dortmund for their 17-year-old prospect.
Updated on Sept. 23, 2026 in Soccer
Live Poll
Should your local sports team prioritize keeping young players over selling them to European clubs?
The Philadelphia Union turned down a transfer bid from German side Borussia Dortmund for 17-year-old forward Malik Jakupovic. Jakupovic has recorded one goal across 86 minutes of play during his current season.
Why it matters
The rejection highlights the Union’s commitment to retaining its young talent as European clubs increasingly scout MLS academies for rising stars. This decision follows a broader trend of high-profile prospects emerging from the Philadelphia system.
Malik Jakupovic is 17 years old and has logged 86 minutes of playing time this season. He has contributed one goal for the team so far.
The players
Philadelphia Union
This is a professional soccer club that competes in Major League Soccer and plays its home matches at Subaru Park.
Malik Jakupovic
He is a 17-year-old soccer player currently developing as a forward within the Philadelphia Union system.
Borussia Dortmund
This is a prominent German professional sports club based in Dortmund that competes in the Bundesliga.
Cavan Sullivan
He is a 17-year-old soccer prospect who is slated to join Manchester City once he turns 18.
Manchester City
This is an English professional football club based in Manchester that competes in the Premier League.
The details
Borussia Dortmund initiated contact with the Philadelphia Union to discuss a potential move for the young player. Despite the interest from the European club, the Union chose to keep the forward at Subaru Park.
Timeline
The rejected transfer bid was reported in September 2026.
The MLS playoffs are scheduled for November 2026.
Season Trajectory
The move follows a pattern set by the upcoming transfer of Cavan Sullivan to Manchester City, signaling a shift in how MLS teams manage their academy talent. This rejection suggests the Union is prioritizing current roster depth as they look ahead toward the November MLS playoffs.
Jakupovic will remain available for selection as the Union enters the final push toward the November playoffs. His status remains a key point of interest for fantasy managers monitoring young talent who see limited minutes in the current rotation.
The takeaway
The Union continues to guard its academy prospects against aggressive international poaching efforts. Keeping young players like Jakupovic provides the club with long-term roster flexibility and potential future development gains.
Further reading
For more on the latest team developments, visit Soccer.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Sporting News.
Live Poll
Should your local sports team prioritize keeping young players over selling them to European clubs?
