Moussa Sylla is being increasingly linked with a switch from FC Schalke 04 to MLS side New York City, with the likelihood of a move currently rated at 72%.
The 26-year-old centre-forward, valued at around €5.00m, has emerged as a serious target for the American club, according to transfer data placing New York City as the leading contender for his signature. The speculation comes despite no public confirmation of contract details at Schalke, leaving open the possibility that the Malian-French striker could yet manoeuvre himself towards a free-agency scenario if talks in Germany stall.
Sylla, who wears the number 9 shirt for Schalke, has rebuilt his reputation in recent seasons after spells in France and the Netherlands. His current market value has fluctuated notably, rising from €2.50m at Pau FC in June 2024 to a peak of €6.00m with Schalke in early 2025, before settling at €5.00m by the end of that year. That trajectory underlines why New York City are monitoring him closely, viewing him as a relatively affordable forward in his prime.
Born in Étampes on 25 November 1999 and standing at 1.80m, Sylla came through the AS Monaco youth system before breaking into the first team and later moving to FC Utrecht in the Eredivisie. Subsequent stints with SM Caen and Pau FC in Ligue 2 preceded his move to Schalke, where he operates primarily as a centre-forward and prefers his right foot.
Having featured in France’s youth structures before representing Mali at senior level, Sylla’s dual-nationality profile and experience across Ligue 1, Ligue 2, the Eredivisie and Germany’s 2. Bundesliga make him an attractive proposition for MLS recruiters seeking proven attacking pedigree. While recent match-by-match details from Schalke are not disclosed in the available data, his upward value curve suggests consistent contributions in front of goal.
Should the proposed move to New York City materialise, it would mark the first chapter of Sylla’s career outside Europe and could become a defining step in reshaping his trajectory, offering a fresh platform to enhance both his reputation and long-term potential on a growing global stage.
