Ivory Coast forward Bénie Traoré is close to completing a move to Major League Soccer side New York City FC, with the 23-year-old expected to become a key attacking addition for the American club in the coming days.
The FC Basel striker, who has been linked with a number of clubs in recent transfer windows, is now on the verge of sealing a switch to the United States in a deal that would mark another step in his rapidly developing career.
Traoré, who is under contract with the Swiss club until June 2028, has been identified by New York City FC as a priority target as they look to strengthen their attacking options ahead of the next phase of their MLS campaign.
Although he had previously been linked with city rivals New York Red Bulls, reports now indicate that he is instead set to join their “classic rival”, New York City FC, in a move that has gathered pace in recent days.
If final details are completed as expected, the transfer could be officially announced shortly, with the player set to travel and complete formalities in the coming days.
The reported fee for the forward is around €8 million, according to Transfermarkt valuations, reflecting both his potential and the progress he has made since joining Basel.
Traoré has established himself as one of the more promising attacking talents emerging from African football in Europe, and his move to MLS is seen as a significant step in his career progression.
For New York City FC, the deal would represent an important investment in attacking depth as they continue to build a squad capable of competing at the top end of Major League Soccer.
The club has increasingly looked to bring in young, high-upside players from Europe and Africa, and Traoré fits that profile as a forward with pace, directness and an eye for goal.
At Basel, he has been part of a squad competing in the Swiss top flight, gaining valuable experience in domestic and European football.
His performances have attracted attention beyond Switzerland, leading to growing interest from clubs across different leagues.
While still relatively early in his career, Traoré’s development trajectory has made him one of the more closely watched Ivorian forwards in European football outside the traditional top five leagues.
The move to New York City FC would also mark his first experience outside European football, offering a new environment and a different style of competition in Major League Soccer.
For Basel, his departure would represent the loss of an emerging attacking option, but the reported fee would provide further resources for reinvestment as they continue to shape their squad.
With negotiations understood to be at an advanced stage, all indications suggest that Traoré’s next chapter will begin in the United States, where expectations will be high for him to make an immediate impact in MLS.
