Armas doesn't want to go to Europe and even if he did, I don't think Forest has the money to get him. Masteroni could be a fit, doesn't Pablo have an Italian passport?
Re: Re: Nottingham Forest looking for US talent Yes, but Forest wouldn't send a scout to Amsterdam to watch Pablo - he wasn't there. Convey is a possibility, although rather unlikely. Other than Armas, I couldn't begin to guess who they'd be looking at.
Nottingham Forest looking for talent PERIOD... Unless they are willing to sign contracts that allow an "out" for a player if they relegate, hard to see who would want to get transfered there. Even if they gave that- hard to see any player risking career (to take that chance). Even the transfer window works against them. Teams like Nottingham Forest really screwed up when they had a chance to get U.S. talent at cheaper prices back 2-3 years ago....I don't know if clubs like Forest can realistically bid on anyone anymore...maybe Armas, since he's on back half of career...that's the only guy I'd think who would go for it- but they'd have to pony up 500k+ salary to get him, I'd reckon. Mastro would be a fit IF they were a solid D1 team (even though he has skills for Premiership..easily), but Mastro wasn't even in Holland. Unless they are looking at Heydude (g), there is no one on the US team they have any sort of shot at...
Re: Re: Re: Nottingham Forest looking for US talent I saw the part about a ball winning midfielder, the only one of thsoe we had in Amsterdam and I don't think Armas has any interest to go to Europe so that is why I said Armas. As for players they could be looking at it could be Armas, Convey, Pope, Gibbs, maybe even Donovan. I think all of those players are out of their price range or wouldn't go to a club that low in the standings.
I thought transfer fees overall have dropped in the last 2-3 years. Furthermore, is there a big enough sample size for us to conclude that US players now cost more now than 2-3 years ago?
No it doesn't Dollars or pounds? $500k is a pittance - £250 and dropping. QPR paid that to buy Kevin McLeod from Everton in the summer and we're in far worse financial trouble that Forest are. £500k is a different story, but not out of the question for a League club. Forest paid twice that for Marlon King from Gillingham. I still don't really see Forest spending that much though - I'm assuming they'd be looking at a loan move.
Loan window does work against them....MLS is not going to be excited about transfering a player NOW (next month or 2) because teams are getting ready for new season.....back in January, yeah- but not now (IMO).. I was talking salary for Armas- not the transfer fee. That would need to be in excess of 500k pounds IMO. The loan thing doesn't work either anymore...again, too close to MLS season. If you are going to get MLS players on loan, its mostly (basically) for Jan/Feb and that's it (maybe a week or 2 in March max)
What does he make now? Even a low to moderate Div 1 contract would be substantially more than moderate to high MLS money. I agree about the timing issue, but I'll bet you Joe Kinnear hasn't got the foggiest idea about that. He probably figures that he can pick American players up whenever he'd like. ...and frankly, you're joking if you think that Armas would be sold for as much as McBride went to Fulham for.
Well, it can't be a parallel move (salary). Last I saw, Armas made high 200s in salary. Likely, there are some other perks (camps, etc.) that I'm not privvy too. So, let's say low 300s... Tax rates are higher in England, I believe... So, i think it would have to greater than 400k to even be a real upgrade, and greater than 500k, then you are talking a difference.. I totally agree with you: the QPR likely has no clue about MLS, remembers what a good experience they had with Olsen, etc.....US really is only going to do loans on player specific basis only in future (very player specific)..the Olsen thing would up horrible (bad injury- basically took him off fast track), and what did MLS get in return? Loans are basically bad idea for MLS except in a few rare cases (maybe Donovan to a Premiership club). I thought McBride went for more than 500k pounds and closer to 1m, but I could be in error
Just think this is a lot of noise by Forest manager on the heels of their US Tour announcement. Try to stir up some interest, blah, blah, blah. Only person he mentioned who fit is Armas, and how a guy who can't dribble with his head up, or make a pass to someone's foot where they could actually c do something with it from more than 5 yards away, is a stretch. Don't come down on me. I respect Armas and he is a great MLS player and pro, but like Goose, just not Euro or top class Nats material. Yeah, he could play for Forest or D1, but what's the point now? Very limited. Anyone else out there, Convey, has P'ship teams waiting to bid on him, LD/DMB, ha! Just sounds like a bunch of noise to please the media and stir it up. Happens all of the time when teams make overseas exhibition trips. Interest in local league players always miraculously appear. Bet the whole DC squad will be in a Forest rumor before it's ove. Nice story, but pretty useless.
TAKK- it is part promotion...but I think the Nott Forest guy is serious, just misinformed.. They had a good experience with John, Olsen...story of McBride successful loan last year is out there.....everyone like a good player at a cheap price...
I hadn't considered that, but that's a good possibility. Might be a nice fit, as well. Although, the article said nothing regarding strikers.
Actually, they were one of the first teams to bring in an MLS player - Ben Olsen was there on loan and impressing, and didn't look to be coming back until he tore up his ankle.
(Olsen) Of course, I remember..I'm talking about other guys (that they, no one else followed up on...)
Wolff's been below the radar so long, hard to imagine another club was 'targeting' him...having said, he would be one guy I'd like to see in D1....before the injury(s), I think he was a fringe-Premiership talent striker...now, I don't anymore, but he looks good against Holland (in scenes)..would be nice to see Josh get back on track..
Hmmm...the first player that came to my mind was Richard Mulrooney, but he wasn't on the roster for the Holland match. Doubt he could get a work permit in the UK but would fill the d-mid role and is 4 years younger than Armas...
All this article and thread prove is that Kinnear? (is that his name) is living in lala land (as he will never get Convey, DMB, LD), or he has zero respect for American talent (don't believe that one), he is blowing smoke (very possible for the tour's sake), or is just plain ignorant (when you look at Forest's season so far you just have to give that one a bit of credence). There is no one other than Armas that fit's anything he said. If he truely sent scouts, and he thinks he can get one of the young guys, he is delusional and will probably be sacked soon because he is clueless.
While I'm no fan of Joe Kinnear... where in that article did he say that he would even be remotely interested in Beasley or Donovan? Get the chip off your shoulder and start looking at things with perspective. If a Division 1 manager is looking at a player, fair dues. If that player or MLS are not interested in the club or fee, fine. It's not an insult to American soccer if every offer to MLS is not £2.5 million from Man United. Some people on this board think that League clubs are filled with hacks and delusional managers, when the truth is that the lower divisions in England are full of important, successful clubs that could be attractive to some MLS players. And whats this nonsense about Forest caring about their US tour promotion. It's a summer training exercise and business trip for their Board who want to use their Capital One connections to try and get some more US cash. What do you think they're trying to launch a Man U style replica shirt push into the greater Richmond area?