by Greg Seltzer for Soccer365

The bell is about to ring, officially setting a new silly season. On Thursday morning, the transfer windows will open in Europe and bags will be packed across the continent.

Some of those January travelers will hold U.S. passports; a few are hot topics, a few want to find a rosier situation and a few want a bigger challenge, so let's take a capsule look at which Americans Abroad might be going where and at which MLS stars could become Americans Abroad.

With MLS insisting on top dollar and European clubs tightening their budgets, we may not see many home-based stars move abroad unless they are out of contract, but several guys already in the Old World should start packing bags.

As you can tell from the following, certain players, clubs and agents are more tight-lipped than others. I can't spill everything I know yet, but you can believe that hurts me as much as it hurts you. I will attempt to use elegant wording in these cases, so you don't even know to feel the info pinch.

There is a massive amount of ground to cover in getting you all caught up, so let's not dilly dally with my general prattle. However, before we launch into the "what if's" let's quickly recap the players who have alreay sealed January moves:

Landon Donovan (Bayern Munich - loan)

The USMNT golden boy gives Deutschland a third try, this time with longtime admirer Juergen Klinsmann and FC Hollywood. Expect Donovan to see some good minutes working behind some two-man combination of Miroslav Klose, Lukas Podolski and Luca Toni. I also would expect him to have an impact, earning a permanent deal with the vaunted Bavarians. This is the next chapter and he will be where he belongs: in the Champions League.

Michael Parkhurst (FC Nordsjælland - free transfer)

The 2007 MLS Defender of the Year has served out his contract to make the long-awaited jump to Europe. Now, we will all see whether his relative lack of height will hinder career progress or not. He will probably have to battle initially to bust up the Benjamin Kibebe-Jonny Lundberg tandem. Then again... the eight place strugglers have leaked 27 goals in 17 games.

Hunter Freeman (IK Start - free transfer)

The U.S. youth international hops over to join a Norwegian side climbing back to the top division. Not only does he have fellow American Clarence Goodson to show him the Kristiansand ropes, but with a couple of key additions, the club will have a squad capable of reminding fans that they were Tippeligaen runners up in 2005.

Alejandro Bedoya (Örebro - free transfer)

The Boston College sniper is a player I've seen very little of, but everyone I've spoken to at the team that tracked him for over a year to eventually close a three-year deal is very excited about his arrival to their offense. This past season, the club finished a solid seventh in Sweden's top league, but only managed 1.2 goals per game. They require a spark, so it's pretty safe to say Bedoya will get chances to shine. Plus, he has former Eagle Charlie Davies nearby to give Allsvenskan guidance.

Matt Allen (Sandefjord - transfer)

The young keeper moves from a #2 role in the Norwegian second flight to a #2 role in the Norwegian honor division. I can't imagine that's a bad thing for him.

And now, we move on to the open case files scattered across two continents...

DaMarcus Beasley (Rangers)

Agent Lyle Yorks has assured me that all MLS return speculation is off the mark. Despite some stateside fretting over his recent lack of playing time, I'm really not convinced Beasley is on the market at all. That being said, the likes of Espanyol and Wolfsburg have shown mild interest. Both of those teams are clearly better than their current table slots, but I'd prefer the latter if he has to move. I think most U.S. fans would probably daydream of him in La Liga, but I'd rather he not be one amid a crowd of slight, quick players. In Germany, he'd again be the lightning bolt among giants. All theorizing aside, I think he will still be at Ibrox come February - and I also think he will regain a starting place. 

Oguchi Onyewu (Standard Liège)

In what has become an epic saga spanning multiple seasons, Gooch may finally be nearing the end credits of his Sclessin days. Borussia Moenchengladbach would love to have him, but he doesn't seem to enthused by the prospect of joining Michael Bradley with the relegation fighters while title chasers Marseille and Paris St. Germain are wooing him over in his familiar France. Fulham rumours are again typical UK press bunk, but agent Lyle Yorks has confessed that one suitor is English. Who could that be? My instant reaction? Once-linked Blackburn, who are ready to propel Andre Ooijer back to Holland from a cannon. Who else could be the mystery club? My Spidey Sense (as it were) pegs Everton and Pompey as possible bidders. Be warned, though: this transfer serial could extend until summer, when Onyewu would be available on a free transfer. If that happens, there is no telling how big a club could bite.

Bobby Convey (Reading)

Seemingly the forgotten man at Reading, Convey is eager to show that he is over his injury woes and once again a proper gnat to opposing defenses. Two things could happen here; the Royals could sell left-side starter Stephen Hunt and Bobby gets his old job back or a team near the North Sea comes to snap him up. There have been rumblings of interest in Scandinavia and I've had a reasonably reliable Dutch birdie nudge me that an Eredivisie team was spying him from afar. Stay tuned, this could get interesting...

Sacha Kljestan (Chivas USA)

After we'd been given a laundry list of high profile suitors for Kljestan, this story has gotten quiet in a hurry. That may be because MLS is asking too much or because the action hasn't heated up yet.  With the current financial climate, I'm assuming he will have at least another six months in MLS unless one of the numerous teams watching him have developed a real crush. My picks for the best bets among his admirers? Let's go with a pair of first half underachievers in Heerenveen and Monaco.

Heath Pearce (Hansa Rostock)

This story has also been quiet, but there is always some team or another snooping the U.S. left back starter. Pearce would be over the moon with a January switch to the Eredivisie, where wingbacks are groomed like prized stallions. There may well be a few teams in the Netherlands looking this winter, but he may need to settle for returning to regular status at Hansa Rostock until his deal expires in summer. As with Onyewu, a free Pearce would draw a ton of attention. As it stands, there is at least one club from the current SAS Liga top three that is eager to bring him back to Denmark, where he was the 2006 Defender of the Year. We all know what that means: likely Champions League or UEFA Cup involvement. This is another "stay tuned" program.

Charlie Davies (Hammarby)

Ligue 1 strugglers Sochaux are still willing to plunk cash for Davies right now, but Hammarby really don't want to let him go just yet. If he does head to France, it would be a decent-sized step up in league quality. If he stays in Sweden until summer and continues to produce like he did in 2008, bigger teams will surely come calling. Goals are like sex... they sell.

Taylor Twellman (New England Revs)

I haven't heard a whisper about T'n'T heading back overseas, but it wouldn't surprise me a bit if he suddenly did. He's had moves blocked by the Revs/MLS before, and could be itching to go abroad in an effort to bolster both his bank account and his chances of cracking the World Cup 2010 roster. And do remember, longtime follower Preston North End don't give up their crushes easily. I'd love to see him back in Germany. Energie Cottbus is screaming for a goal hound and it wouldn't be too shabby to have a Freiburg comin for him - two set-ups that could work for him... I'm just sayin'.

Ante Razov (Chivas USA)

Word has it Mexican club Léon are trying to lure the Goats strike ace. They once got three goals in five games from loan item Eric Wynalda... hmmm. If it happens, you can bet Chivas USA will make sure they find a Designated Player-level striker... which is good, because they will need one.

Marcus Hahnemann (Reading)

The U.S. keeper is having a monster season and was linked to Tottenham recently. However, not only have Spurs been linked to every name keeper in the universe, but maligned started Gomes is suddenly showing top form again. I can't imagine the promotion chasers will let Hahnemann go this winter, but with back-up Adam Federici coming into his own, a Premiership detour next summer to precede his eventual expected route home to Seattle to replace Kasey Keller is not out of the question.

Jay DeMerit (Watford)

The Hornets skipper could see some attention in January. Whether he moves or not could depend on which clubs are calling. There's no need to make a lateral move here. Nevertheless, I feel something may be cooking here. Call it a tremor in the Force, if you will. I have no guess here. Is that disappointing?

Kenny Cooper (FC Dallas)

Word around Cooper has died down, but don't be fooled. Said Yorks to Soccer365, "I'd be very surprised if he didn't have offers in January." Teams from England and Germany should head the queue, but Eintracht Frankfurt have dropped their interest for now. Who might come out of the woodwork with a bid? I'm thinking the likes of Cologne could come in if they fail to land Podolski. From England, Middlesbrough could have some cash soon and may envision grabbing a "new Viduka". That last one is all my idea, no sneaky hint.

Bobby Boswell (Houston Dynamo)

Relegation battlers Antalyaspor have made a bid for the out-of-contract defender, who probably wouldn't be in the lovely Turkish town unless he was interested. To me, the club seem positively giddy at the thought of adding Boswell on a free transfer. "We are working to make a deal," club spokesman Servet Çavuşoglu told Soccer365 on Tuesday. "We have some details and he has some details - if we can agree on the details, we will sign him to a contract through the end of the season." The short term deal would allow the 2006 MLS Defender of the Year to show his wares in a strong league's window for several months and avoid any relegation flush. Unless that rumoured German interest antes up soon, I'll bet he signs on in Turkey and is the better for it.

Gregg Berhalter (1860 Munich)

Most observers believe the veteran defender will finally come to MLS (probably to New York, near his Jersey hometown) when this 2.Bundesliga campaign concludes. However, Berhalter has also begun acquiring coaching badges. From the bit I've talked to him, it seems he is undecided what course to take next. But then the season will draw to a close and he'll know, and we will know. My blind call? Gregg continues to take coaching courses while playing a farewell year or two in MLS.

Lee Nguyen (Randers FC)

Vietnamese side Hoang Anh Gia Lai are probably ready to sign up him up to a nice contract that would allow him to connect with his ancestral home on a meaningful level. Despite being born in the States, Nguyen is considered a favorite son in the Asian country. Of course, the pull of his actual homeland is also in effect. One MLS outfit is eagerly trying to lure the diminutive attacker home from Denmark. This one is a tough call because I understand that Lee isn't in this quandary over money or even career. Spending some time playing in his father's country seems important, so it's entirely possible he will. I just hope he doesn't get grief over it from U.S. fans concerned about his growth as a player.

Marvell Wynne (Toronto FC)

Like Kljestan, Wynne has plenty of buzz and no bids on the table. Like Pearce, he'd be a natural for Eredivisie development. Like Cooper, he'll probably need to excel in MLS a little longer to draw an offer the league couldn't refuse. And with continued improvement from the right back (specifically with his crossing), the type of club watching him could easily go from Groningen-level to PSV-level. Trust me... Dutch scouts are daydreaming of Marvell.

Kamani Hill (out of contract)

With the Volkswagen in his rear view mirror, the former UCLA ace has a few options. He could take up an offer from Norwegian riser Bodø/Glimt, work trials in Belgium and Germany or come to MLS. The right-sider has one American team in for his free signature.

Zak Whitbread (Millwall)

The Millwall man has received a bit of Premiership interest - including from Blackburn, whose father heads the scouting department - but it seems to me he'll finish his season trying to get the Lions back to the Championship. Come summer though, all roads should be open for a move up if the Den-izens don't win promotion.

Joe Cannon (San Jose Earthquakes)

The Quakes shotstopper is a free agent and has had one team in Norway ready to bite, but was also continuing talks for a San Jose stay. I'm guessing that he does.

Soccer365 reporter Greg Seltzer blogs daily over at No Short Corners.

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