Malik Jakupovic Could Follow in Cavan Sullivan's Footsteps With Premier League Switch

Cavan Sullivan might be stealing the show at Philadelphia Union, but there's another teenager slowly making a name for himself at Subaru Park: Malik Jakupovic. The 17-year-old, who is under contract through 2030 with an option to extend another season, has operated quietly in the shadows, making cameo appearances for the first team.

He's notbreaking records like Sullivan, nor is he commanding starting minutes like fellow young American Neil Pierre. Jakupovic is more of a slow burn.

The Michigan-native only made his MLS debut back in March, and he is still waiting for his first start. Only two of his last five appearances have been for longer than one minute.

But the potential is there, so much so that clubs across Europe are paying close attention to Jakupovic. The striker already received interest from Borussia Dortmund over the summer, with reports claiming the Union rejected a bid from the German outfit for their young gem.

Now even more clubs are coming to the party, eager to potentially snatch up the next young American goalscorer. Links to the Premier League are swirling, while Bundesliga ties seemingly remain strong.

This muchtransferactivity, for a player with one senior goal to his name, speaks volumes, as do Jakupovic's contributions in MLS NEXT Pro. From Academy Standout to Burgeoning Star Malik Jakupovic bagged his first MLS goal in September.

At 14 years old, the forward made Philadelphia his new home, hoping to rise through the ranks and one day help the club lift its first-ever MLS Cup. By the time 2025 rolled around, Jakupovic was staking his place with the Union's reserve team.

The teenager made 19 appearances in MLS NEXT Pro and found the back of the net eight times along the way, becoming the team's second-highest goalscorer in his first campaign. The Union took notice, calling up Jakupovic for their early Concacaf Champions Cup clashes in 2026.

He made his official senior debut in the team's 7-0 rout over Defence Force, and then started a trend. Jakupovic would get called up for first team action, feature off the bench or not at all, and then return to the Philadelphia Union II, where he would impress enough to get called back up again to the senior squad.