Did anyone understand that article in the Times this morning. The reporter was suggesting that it is the Metros who have the power to transfer him. And he would be going for $600,000 which includes transfer fee and salary. What does that mean? And Nicky boy wouldn't return calls. Have I missed something? What's going on here?
Jack bell wrote the story. I have it in hand right now. Too long to re-type. Buy the paper. Sports section, page D9.
It's eight paragraphs. It will take less time for you to buy the paper than for me to re-type it, which, BTW, is copywright infringement. I'm not trying to be rude. I apologize if it sounded that way.
In a nutshell, the story states that a Saudi Arabian club is interested in Diallo and that, unofficially, Metro has already come to terms with them for a transfer in the neighborhood of $600,000. It states that Diallo is under contract to Metro/MLS until the end of the 2003 season. Metro are unavailable for comment and Trey Fitzgerald of MLS states that he is aware of transfer discussions involving Diallo, but that he cannot confirm that anything has been completed. I understood the article to mean that the league, with the consent of Metro, have agreed to sell Diallo, not that individual teams now have the ability to do so.
Here's an excerpt: "According to a brief report by Agence France-Presse yesterday, the MetroStars have sold striker MD to the Saudi Arabian club Al Alhi for $600,000, which includes a transfer fee and the player's new contract." It goes on to say that Nick was unavailable for comment. Trey FitzGerald, said he couldn't confirm, but talks were ongoing. Pat McCabe, Diallo's agent said the offer was "under review by the league office." There you go....housecleaning has begun.
Kevin, props brotha for the re-cap. If we get a Ramos allocation (New England got one for Alvarez retiring) and a You Suck Allocation, coupled with Man U interest in perhaps Mathis (check Yanks Abroad), and then a Diallo allocation, we could field one great team next year, unless OZ is still at the helm.
Does $600K merit an allocation? I wouldn't think so, but in the topsy turvy world of MLS rules, who knows?
$500k, to answer my own question. If Diallo goes, and if the 'you suck' allocation returns (which, without the dispersal draft, it should), that gives us three allocations.
I found a story that put it at a half million. In any case, Diallo's fee is in the range of my number and yours, and would seemingly merit an allocation.
This is off topic. While I was searching for the article, I came across this other article on the terrible tragedy in Senegal. It also seems that some of the victims were young footballers. It is very sad. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/africa/2288945.stm
Wow thats sad. A tragedy. It says the school that the kids trained for was the Diallo school of soccer. I guess its his own school itself.