posted by like_that

There are no tampering rules in UEFA? Wtf? 

He was exercised a clause in his contract for a free transfer (his release clause is $700M) which he could do by the end of the last month of season. However, Barça is claiming that the contract states that month to be June. Messi and his agent saying Fifa delayed the season, so June becomes August. Barça claiming the month doesn’t change because the month was hard coded so to speak, and last month of season was an adjective in contract, not a qualifier.

The whole situation is fucking wild. If Barca gets nothing for him, it will be one of the most disastrous fuck ups of all time.

Reports is three years at City then a move to NYCFC. Weird.

I'm happy if he moves to the EPL albeit Man City. I can never really get into La Liga unless it's CL play.

posted by Laley23

He was exercised a clause in his contract for a free transfer (his release clause is $700M) which he could do by the end of the last month of season. However, Barça is claiming that the contract states that month to be June. Messi and his agent saying Fifa delayed the season, so June becomes August. Barça claiming the month doesn’t change because the month was hard coded so to speak, and last month of season was an adjective in contract, not a qualifier.

The whole situation is fucking wild. If Barca gets nothing for him, it will be one of the most disastrous fuck ups of all time.

Why the fuck would Barca have a free transfer clause for him to begin with?!?

posted by like_that

Why the fuck would Barca have a free transfer clause for him to begin with?!?

That’s the shocking part. But I guess the same type of reason LeBron was able to start the 1 year contracts.

Weston McKennie moving on from Shalke...heading to Juve??? Whoa. 

Gonna have some Americans playing major minutes for some huge clubs next season.

McKennie at Juve. Reyna at Dortmund. Adams for Leipzig. Id expect Richard to be a first team regular for Bayern next year. And of course, Pulisic at Chelsea. Hell, if Barca continues down the rebuild road, Konrad might be making some first team appearances for them lol.

McKennie potentially has 5 other midfielders he'll have to compete with. It sounds as if 2 could be leaving though.

posted by Automatik

Reports is three years at City then a move to NYCFC. Weird.

I know nothing of how soccer works on any sort of league level, but this means he spends 3 years with ManU and then comes to the MLS?

posted by justincredible

I know nothing of how soccer works on any sort of league level, but this means he spends 3 years with ManU and then comes to the MLS?

No, Manchester City...not Manchester United.

Manchester City share an ownership group (City Football Group) as NYCFC. That's how they work it into the contract. They'd make some okay money off people buying Messi NYCFC shirts if he comes to the US. Even if he'd be 36+ then.

Gotcha. I misspoke on the Manchester team. So the same group owns a team in the EPL and MLS. That makes sense, I think.

posted by OSH

McKennie potentially has 5 other midfielders he'll have to compete with. It sounds as if 2 could be leaving though.

He will have competition every year at a club like Juve, but I doubt they are spending money on a 21 year old just to loan him elsewhere/not give him a shot. If that was the case, they’d simply wait until he proved himself for another year or 2 and sign him then.

McKennie had some tremendous stretches for Shalke. Granted they weren’t very good, but he was the best player on both sides in a few of his UCL and Bundesliga games.

posted by Laley23

He will have competition every year at a club like Juve, but I doubt they are spending money on a 21 year old just to loan him elsewhere/not give him a shot. If that was the case, they’d simply wait until he proved himself for another year or 2 and sign him then.

McKennie had some tremendous stretches for Shalke. Granted they weren’t very good, but he was the best player on both sides in a few of his UCL and Bundesliga games.

McKennie is also just on a loan right now, and 3 million euros isn't a bad loan. Option to buy is at 18 million euros.

Odds are, Juve will make up a decent amount of that loan just in jersey sales.

Konrad — and I cant figure out how this has gone un-reported/unnoticed in America — just played for one of the biggest clubs in the world, Barcelona. Made his 1st team debut today at 19, and actually scored, but was ruled offside by inches. 

I’m hard pressed off the top of my head to think of an American playing for a bigger club, ever. ManU and Chelsea are big, but not quite Barca big.

posted by Laley23

Konrad — and I cant figure out how this has gone un-reported/unnoticed in America — just played for one of the biggest clubs in the world, Barcelona. Made his 1st team debut today at 19, and actually scored, but was ruled offside by inches. 

I’m hard pressed off the top of my head to think of an American playing for a bigger club, ever. ManU and Chelsea are big, but not quite Barca big.

Was this kid one of the guys you mentioned previously regarding young US talent?  

So many 21U guys coming up for the US. Cautiously optimistic.

posted by like_that

Was this kid one of the guys you mentioned previously regarding young US talent?  

So many 21U guys coming up for the US. Cautiously optimistic.

McKennie balled out in his first game and start for Juve. Played all 90’ and was a beast in midfield. 

Reyna scores for Dortmund, his first Bundesliga goal. 

Richards gets in for a cameo in Bayern’s 8-0 win, but nice to see him as a sub in their first game of the year. 

Pulisic out injured still for Chelsea, or it could’ve been an even better weekend for Americans at the biggest clubs. 

Sergino Dest, who about a year ago chose the USMNT over Netherlands, is in a bidding war with Bayern and Barcelona. Pretty remarkable for the 19 year old.

posted by Laley23

Sergino Dest, who about a year ago chose the USMNT over Netherlands, is in a bidding war with Bayern and Barcelona. Pretty remarkable for the 19 year old.

I thought Bayern won the bidding war?

posted by like_that

I thought Bayern won the bidding war?

posted by Laley23
Not yet, and it’s looking like Barcelona has the upper hand. They just had to clear out some money and with Suarez and Samedo deals now done, they have enough. 

I can't wrap my head around the fact that Barcelona could have two contributing Americans as a part of their XI someday. 

posted by like_that

I can't wrap my head around the fact that Barcelona could have two contributing Americans as a part of their XI someday. 

I know. And seems official now. Barca offloading some guys with haste to get the funds available, and then spending €25M...Dest is gonna have ample opportunities to actually play. Pretty incredible. 

Another 19 year old to Europe 

BREAKING: The Philadelphia Union and RB Salzburg have reached a verbal agreement over the transfer of Brenden Aaronson, sources tell https://t.co/QqWAi38GbI.

Aaronson will stay with the Union through 2020 season. Not done yet. Still needs to do a medical + finalize small details

— Tom Bogert (@tombogert) September 23, 2020

So, Sergiño Dest has been one of Barcelona’s best players since joining. Pretty remarkable. Arguably their top defender at this point. Not as good going forward, but playing for Barca, it won’t be long before he masters that.

Hoping McKennie is fit enough after COVID to play today for Juve. Would be awesome to see those 2 go at it on the biggest stage in club soccer. 

Reyna has been be of Dortmund’s top players as well, and without looking it up, I’d venture to say towards the top in assists in Europe’s top leagues.

Pulisic has been hurt, but made his return in the 0-0 draw vs ManU. Got the start, but didn’t go 90. Same with Adams, but didn’t miss as much time. In and out of the starting lineup for Leipzig, but regular playing time.

Richards with some cameos for Bayern. Konrad back to Barca B. Both expected.

Yunus Musah, 17 year older for Valencia by way of Arsenal, has chosen USMNT over England (and Italy/Ghana). Huge, huge get for Berhalter.

Lots of upcoming talent we just need a true goal scorer to round them out.

posted by sportchampps

Lots of upcoming talent we just need a true goal scorer to round them out.

Soto not choosing Chile (still up in the air for Chile and USMNT) gives hope it could be him. Sargent still has time, but he hasn’t had a goal scoring spree you’d hope for yet, despite regular playing time for Bremen.