Another MLS youngster goes to the Bundesliga

D.C. United and VfL Wolfsburg of the German Bundesliga have reportedly reached an agreement on the transfer of U.S. national team youth product Kevin Paredes, sources confirmed to MLSsoccer.com.

The transfer will be valued at around $7 million and Paredes would soon travel to Germany to undergo medical exams to complete the deal. Pablo Maurer of The Athletic was the first to disclose information about the agreement between the clubs.

D.C. United Homegrown player

At 18 years old, Paredes is a product of D.C. United and has already completed 41 MLS appearances, including 24 games last season, where he became a regular starter under head coach Hernan Losada. Kevin Paredes was expected to be the starter at right-back for the U.S. capital team in 2022.

Paredes was signed as D.C. United's 14th Homegrown Player on Jan. 17, 2020, and had an impressive first year with the Black-and-Red.

Paredes has represented the U.S. U-17 Men's national team three times registering one goal and one assist. The Virginia native made his debut in a friendly against the Netherlands U-17 national team on November 14, 2019. Throughout the match, Paredes came off the bench and scored his first goal for the national team as he helped his team to a 3-3 draw.

Paredes can play as a fullback, winger, or left-wing marker, and has already been called up by the U.S. senior national team for training camps, although his official debut has yet to take place.

Wolfsburg also wanted Ricardo Pepi

Wolfsburg is currently in 15th place in the Bundesliga, one point above the relegation positions, with 14 matches still to play. Last season the team finished in fourth position and qualified for the UEFA Champions League.

Wolfsburg came close to signing striker Ricardo Pepi earlier this winter, though the attacker left FC Dallas to play for FC Augsburg after being recognized as the 2021 MLS Young Player of the Year and making his debut for the U.S. national team.

Paredes had previously been a target of RB Salzburg and was on the radar of Manchester City and City Football Group.

D.C. United is on the verge of transferring winger Paul Arriola to FC Dallas and bringing in Greek striker Taxiarchis Fountas, currently with Rapid Wien of the Austrian Bundesliga.