Earn with Nexo
Seattle Sounders join Chicago Fire in MLS battle for Hearts midfielder Cammy Devlin
The Australian defensive midfielder is attracting interest from at least three MLS clubs, plus teams in England and Turkey, as his Hearts contract winds down.
The race for Cammy Devlin is getting crowded. Seattle Sounders FC have entered the mix for the Heart of Midlothian midfielder, joining Chicago Fire FC and at least one other MLS club in what’s becoming a transatlantic tug-of-war for the Australian international.
Devlin, a 28-year-old defensive midfielder with 176 appearances for Hearts since arriving from Newcastle Jets in August 2021, finds himself in the enviable position of being wanted by seemingly everyone. His contract at Tynecastle expires on May 31, 2026, which means Hearts are staring down the barrel of a familiar dilemma: sell now and recoup some value, or risk losing him for nothing next summer.
Why everyone wants Devlin
It’s not just MLS clubs circling. Clubs in England’s Championship and Turkey’s Super Lig have reportedly submitted formal contract offers for Devlin, adding layers of complexity to an already competitive transfer picture.
The presence of a third, unnamed MLS club only adds pressure. When three teams from the same league are competing for a player, the leverage shifts firmly to the player’s camp.
The Hearts factor
Devlin has been open about his emotional attachment to Hearts, which makes sense given the trajectory of his career in Edinburgh. He arrived as a relatively unknown quantity from the A-League in 2021 and built himself into a fan favorite through sheer effort and consistency.
With his deal expiring next May, Hearts face a classic sell-or-lose scenario. If Devlin decides he wants to stay for one more season and run down his contract, he’d be free to negotiate with anyone starting in January 2026 and leave on a free transfer the following summer.
What this means for MLS buyers
Chicago Fire’s pitch would likely be different from Seattle’s. A club that has struggled for consistency in recent years could offer Devlin something Seattle might not: guaranteed minutes and a central role in a project that’s still taking shape.
There’s also the World Cup factor. Devlin is currently part of Australia’s squad preparing for the tournament, which means his profile is only going to rise in the coming months. Any club serious about signing him would be wise to get a deal done before that happens, not after.