In lieu of the Tim Howard transfer saga to Man Ure I've done a bit of wondering: apparently chris bergen reports, though not confirms, Man U have made a $3.5M offer for Howard which was accepted by MLS. Here's the thing, if this is true, am I the only one who thinks MLS of old, who would try and price top stars out of the market, (see Run DMB, Clint Mathis) has changed their tune because it is Man U? In other words, if it wasn't the biggest name in the world after Howard, If say Porto or Udinese or Mallorca or PSG had come bidding, do you think MLS would have asked for a higher transfer fee upwards of $7M or has MLS changed? Hell I think MLS is willing to accept a slightly lower offer from a larger club because it gives them as a league and their player development ability credit, leading for bigger, and perhaps, better deals in the future for other MLS stars like the Twellman's, Ruiz's Martino's and so forth. Of course this will eventually lead to das wonderkind himself, Freddy Adu....(and bids from the likes of Ajax, Inter, Real Madrid, Juve, Man U etc.)
I dont think they changed their tune, I think this is the first time they got aoffered REAL money so they are letting him go. Just look at when they got offered REAL money for Stern John. There has always been interest in our players but sometimes its better not to accept the measly <$1M offers for top talent. MLS is better off keeping the tallent as they bring in fans and sell shirts(not many but some). If Udinese, Porto or whomever were to offered $3M I dont think MLS would hessitate to sell Howard either. But also if more teams are interested then the price drives itself up.
But surely MLS could squeeze the transfer upwards of $4M. You gotta think marketing and other opprotunities come into play in the decision.
I'm on record saying MLS is the best league in the world. I mean, who can beat this theme: 10 teams. One goal. To not be one of the 2 teams who don't make it to the playoffs.