Celta Vigo seen as ideal landing spot for Real Salt Lake star

The summer transfer window is open and one player that could be on the move is Real Salt Lake's Diego Luna. Over the summer, Luna's stock went up following his performance at the Gold Cup 2025, where the United States finished runner-up.

After a successful Gold Cup from an individual perspective, in which he scored three goals and recorded two assists, the question now is whether the 21-year-old is ready to jump from MLS to European football.

ESPN's Bill Connelly analyzed where some of the top American players could land this summer, and these players look to position themselves in ideal situations that allow them to impress and be a part of the U.S. squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Connelly sees Luna not only jumping to Europe but also landing in Spain to continue his career abroad.

"He has been linked to a few European teams," Connelly wrote. "Who doesn't need a burly, hard-working and opportunistic attacker for your bench, at the very least? Most notably among them is LaLiga's Celta Vigo. As with Patrick Agyemang, Luna clearly doesn't have to leave MLS to get on Pochettino's radar.

DIEGO LUNA! @realsaltlake take the lead right before the half. pic.twitter.com/1qDk455YvS

"But Celta Vigo would be intriguing: They were the fifth-best attacking team in the league last season, and they are rebuilding their attack after the loss of forward Jørgen Strand Larsen and winger Fernando López to Wolves. Celta Vigo just added a nice string-puller in Club Brugge's Ferran Jutglà too. That might be a good club to pursue."

Last season, Celta Vigo finished seventh in La Liga with 55 points, allowing them to qualify for the UEFA Europa League this upcoming 2025-26 season.

As for Luna, he would bring an offensive punch to the Spanish team since he's recorded 24 goals and 11 assists in 100 total appearances for Real Salt Lake. The question will be, does he want to head to a new environment, understanding that a bad season could cost him the World Cup?

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