A USMNT striker playing for Spanish side Mallorca is drawing international transfer attention as the new season begins.

According to ESPN, English Championship side Middlesbrough is interested in USMNT hopeful Matthew Hoppe.

Middlesbrough is vying for the forward’s services amongst an international group of suitors – Hoppe has also drawn interest from Belgium leagues and the San Jose Earthquakes, an MLS side.

If Hoppe transferred to Middlesbrough, he would join fellow USMNT goalkeeper Zack Steffen, currently on loan to Boro from Premier League champions Man City.

Though Steffen and Hoppe have made names for themselves internationally over the past five years, both have struggled in their most recent seasons. Hoppe joined La Liga side Mallorca last season after becoming the first American to score a Bundesliga hat trick with Schalke ’04 in Germany.

(Watch the hat trick below – Hoppe can be brilliant when he’s playing well.)

Since his transfer to La Liga, Hoppe struggled to produce in Spain’s top flight. Steffen has struggled to find playing time over Man City’s ‘Monstar-esque’ goalie Ederson, and when he did manage to find the field last season, his performances were often underwhelming.

Both players are young and still have plenty of room to grow. Wherever Hoppe ends up before the World Cup in November, he hopes to get enough playing time to earn a spot on the USMNT roster in Qatar. Zack Steffen also has his work cut out for him – he’ll compete for starts against Arsenal’s Matt Turner and (possibly) Chelsea’s Gaga Slonina.

Featured Image: Pexels/Athena/RealMallorca/USSoccerFederation/DM