Transfer News and other stuff - 1/11/2007

Dempsey Signs with Fulham FC

Clint "Deuce" Dempsey has signed with EPL club Fulham FC, one day after the British Home Office granted him a work permit. No details have been released on the contract, but according to the British press, the transfer was priced at $3.88 Million. Dempsey is the third US International to join the Cottagers, joining Brian McBride and Carlos Bocanegra.

Good to see that Deuce has put pen to paper and that he can start his new life in London. This can only be a good thing for the US National Team, as Deuce will be going up against much better defenders as he faces Chelsea, Manchester United, Arsenal and the rest of the EPL. I just hope he doesn't have the same result as the other US International named Clint had when he went over to Europe.

Manchester City set to terminate Reyna's contract.

It appears that Claudio Reyna's contract with Manchester City is in works to be terminated. Reyna has cited family reason to move back to the US with his wife who is pregnant. This is the logical step in the move towards becoming the #10 in the Red Bull New York midfield.

Ives Galarcep has a pretty good idea that RBNY will not be using one of their two DPA slots for Claudio, as they can most likely sign him to a deal around what was close to Amado Guevara's, in the 280K-300K ballpark. This would allow RBNY to bring in Reyna, Dutch goalkeeper Ronald Waterreus (who would most likely be a discovery player) and still have the two DPA slots available for guys like Ronaldo (who could still end up in Saudi Arabia) and one other higher profile player.

As much as I hate the Red Bulls, I am looking forward to seeing Reyna suit up for them. I have only been able to see him play about 3 times in the last 11 years, so being able to see him line up against DC United will be a treat. Claudio has always been a good player and would be a very good addition to MLS.

Announcement Today on Beckham?

Speaking of additions to MLS, it seems that we should hear later today whether or not David Beckham will be making his decision on whether or not he stays with Real Madrid or if he makes the leap to Hollywood and joins MLS club, LA Galaxy. Beckham has been offered a two year contract extension by Real, but as he hasn't really been playing that much with the first team (7 appearances in 25 matches) he might be looking for first team football someplace else.

I am undecided about all of this. I know that bringing Beckham into MLS will be good from certain points of view. He will create instant buzz in the most important media market that MLS deals with, the US media. His move should increase the attendance of Galaxy matches in LA and across the US as more soccer fans and non-soccer fans go out to see the British superstar. I also think that he can bring a very high level of play to field and should pose a major headache for goalkeepers as he can still hit the pin point crosses and free kicks, which MLS goalkeepers haven't really had to deal with.

My indecision stems from the price. Should we be paying one guy $9 million a year to play soccer? He will be making more than the rest of the entire club combined. From everything I have read (including his autobiography) Beckham is one of the last guys who would let that all go to his head, like some guys in other sports (Barry Bonds comes to mind), so I am not worried about him trying to create new rules form himself everyday. But I am really worried about how some of the other players will deal with him. I don't know. I hope he makes the move, for the sake of helping MLS and soccer in the US. I just hope it doesn't end badly.

Interliga Finals Set

The finals of the Mexican Interliga have been set, with defending CONCACAF Champion Club America set to face Tigres and Necaxa will face Jaguares in the other final. The two winners will join Toluca as the three Mexican representatives in the 2007 CONMEBOL Copa Libertadores. The two finals will be held this Saturday at The Home Depot Center in Carson, California.