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Exclusive: Record-Breaking Sam Surridge Set for Europe as Nashville SC Demands $20M

After a record-breaking season, Sam Surridge is a hot transfer target in the MLS, with Nashville SC expecting a record fee of $15-20 million. European clubs, including Bundesliga and La Liga teams, are scouting the English striker. Surridge's contract situation and national team ambitions suggest a potential return to Europe this summer.

Ekrem Konur
Ekrem Konur

Last updated: 2026-02-10

Louis Hobbs

2 minutes read

Nashville SC v FC Cincinnati

Nashville SC v FC Cincinnati by Johnnie Izquierdo | Getty Images

Taking the MLS by storm, Sam Surridge has become one of the hottest commodities in the transfer market following a fairy-tale campaign with Nashville SC. 

After etching his name into the history books with a record-breaking 31-goal haul in the 2025 season, the 27-year-old English marksman is now the subject of a sophisticated European scouting operation.

Expectations for a Record Fee

Nashville SC, having secured Surridge from Nottingham Forest in 2023 for approximately $6.5 million, is now playing hardball in negotiations. 

With the player's market value soaring, the club's hierarchy is unwilling to entertain offers below the $15-20 million threshold. 

Nashville aims to reinvest the windfall from a potential sale to bolster their roster with a new world-class "Designated Player."

The Multi-League Bidding War

Despite Ipswich Town’s persistent pursuit during the winter window, Surridge opted to stay in the Music City, setting the stage for an even fiercer bidding war this summer. 

While Premier League outfits Everton, West Ham United, and Wolves are reportedly preparing formal bids, our sources indicate surprise interest has emerged from the continent. 

German clubs, particularly Eintracht Frankfurt and VfB Stuttgart, are closely monitoring Surridge’s profile as a "modern number nine." His physical style is viewed as a perfect fit for the German top flight.

In Spain, Real Betis and Villarreal are among those testing the waters. Spanish tacticians are impressed by his mobility and link-up play, viewing him as more than just a "fox-in-the-box."

It’s not just Surridge, Europe’s eyes are on MLS, with a growing wave of attacking talent reportedly attracting interest, including FC Dallas’ Petar Musa and forward FC Cincinnati's Kevin Denkey, both linked with potential moves abroad.

Contract Status and National Team Ambitions

While Surridge’s current deal expires in December 2026, Nashville holds a 2027 option that provides massive leverage. 

However, the striker’s dream of an England national team call-up makes a return to Europe, at this peak stage of his career, more than 60% likely this summer. 

Should Nashville receive their desired valuation, this move will go down as one of the most expensive forward exports in MLS history.

Ekrem Konur
Ekrem KonurFootball Transfer Specialist

Ekrem Konur is a renowned football transfer specialist and journalist with a global reputation for breaking exclusive stories. He has established strong collaborations with major international outlets such as Marca, AS, Mundo Deportivo, Bild, Record, Daily Mirror, CaughtOffside, Goal, and ESPN. Additionally, Ekrem has a long-standing history of covering European football for the prominent Japanese magazine World Soccer Digest. With a massive digital reach of over 1.2 million followers and 60 million monthly impressions, he bridges the gap between club boardrooms and fans, serving as a leading authority in the global transfer market.