This might be a case where the Bundesliga sides that were reportedly interested (and most of this reporting was coming from the bigger German media outlets) viewed him as a longer term prospect. If you're an 18 year old that's never played a professional minute before, that might mean a year with Schalke's reserves (like McKennie) or a couple years with Bayern's reserves (like Richards) before getting a real opportunity with the first team. For someone like Aaronson who's turning 20 in a month and who's in the middle of his second season as a starter in MLS, I'm not really sure what that entails. A bit too raw to be an immediate contributor, but a bit too seasoned to start all over again on the reserves, possibly? They might have just ended up loaning him out to a Salzburg-type club anyway. It's also possible that because of all that Salzburg are simply willing to pay more for him right now as an immediate contributor.
That would make sense. According to Transfermarkt, in the past year or so alone, Salzburg have sold 9 different players for a higher price than any MLS club has ever received for an American player ($7.5m for Zack Steffen). Here's the full list 2020-21 Hee-chan Hwang to RB Leipzig for $16.50m 2019-20 Erling Haaland to Bor. Dortmund for $22.00m Munas Dabbur to Sevilla FC for $18.70m Xaver Schlager to VfL Wolfsburg for $16.50m Diadié Samassékou to TSG Hoffenheim for $15.40m Stefan Lainer to Bor. M'gladbach for $13.75m Hannes Wolf to RB Leipzig for $13.20m Marin Pongracic to VfL Wolfsburg for $11.00m Takumi Minamino to Liverpool for $9.35m 2018-19 Amadou Haidara to RB Leipzig for $20.90m Duje Caleta-Car to Marseille for $20.90m Valentino Lazaro to Hertha BSC for $11.55m Valon Berisha to Lazio for $8.36m 2017-18 Wanderson to Krasnodar for $8.80m Konrad Laimer to RB Leipzig for $7.70m 2016-17 Naby Keïta to RB Leipzig for $32.73m Jonathan Soriano to BJ Sinobo Guoan for $16.50m Martin Hinteregger to FC Augsburg for $11.55m Dayot Upamecano to RB Leipzig for $11.00m 2014-15 Sadio Mané to Southampton for $25.30m Kevin Kampl to Bor. Dortmund for $13.20m Alan to GZ Evergrande for $12.21m
In addition, Dominik Soboszlai and Patson Daka have been linked to big money moves in recent weeks. Seems like a no brainer move for a young American. Let’s get McKenzie over there while we are at it.
Imagine if MLS teams got those rates for their outgoing players - would be a different league. Kinda makes me wonder how far off MLS really is from there and what it would take to get there. I mean, should Red Bull Salzburg really make more per year in revenue on foreign exports than the entirely of the US footballing system?
really think that mls needs to get serious about supporting a transfer market even if that means not getting every last penny for 3-5 years
Mls is better than the Austrian bundesliga. however play at Salzburg for 18 months and move to Leipzig by age 21.... that’s the ideal scenario.
To be fair, Salzburg right now really are an exceptional case. Most of Europe doesn't look like that. According to Transfermarkt, in the past 6 or 7 years (starting from the 2014-15 season and sorting by transfer balance), Salzburg have been one of the three best selling clubs in the world after Benfica and Ajax, and above Porto and Monaco.
The games against bigger clubs in the ucl group stage & Europa league ko rd's are what prompts the sizable transfer fees. All the more reason why rbs' ucl playoff series starting tomorrow against Maccabi Tel Aviv is that much more important, beyond Jesse's interest. Could have implications on if Aaronson will be involved, in some capacity, in major matches, which provide opportunities for springboards, starting in winter. That would fast track him to not hanging out in the Austrian League for long & hoping just for those limited higher stakes opportunities.
What it may take is compelling UEFA to let MLS join a World Football League at some point. Short of that, it would be really hard to get to those levels of valuation, w/out competitive opportunities against UEFA's own clubs. RBS alone has a highest of 32.7, 5 of 20+, & 18 in double-digits. The highest valuations outside of Europe are in Argentina & Brasil. Argentina's highest is 27.5, 2 over 20, & 24 in double-digits. So more depth for Argentina (as a whole), but RBS gives you significantly more upside. Now Brasil, they can produce #'s: Neymar went for 97!, 3 40's, 5 30's, 8 20's, etc. This is no doubt aided by the mystique of being a regular w/ the Brasil national team first. So it is actually possible for MLS to compete w/ the best selling clubs in Europe, from the outside, the US just needs a Brasil level national team. Piece of cake.
Brenden Aaronson se convertirá en nuevo jugador del RB Salzburg en los próximos días. Solo quedan por resolverse unos flecos. #DOOP https://t.co/h5PHyqTV2i— Jaime Ojeda (@jaimeor96) September 22, 2020 love this move
Man Red Bull has this whole MLS thing figured out way more than the Man City apparatus. Guess it helps that Red Bull is way more dependent on a Salzburg like club existing for them than City would ever be...
getting better again now, but wish red bull had this same track record in their own branded club up the road 80 or so miles.
Amen. RBNY are excruciating to watch these days. But they have their own Aaronson-level No 10 prospect in the pipeline. That's for another thread, though.
I think the Internet is really what has made clubs like RB Salzburg and Dortmund so successful. Without it? Imagine how much poorer the world's training would be. And the opportunities to digitally scout would be next to nil. My point? It's really, really hard to be a club like Ajax that churns out professional players. I think NYRB have proven they do it better than many MLS clubs. They just produced Adams. If we get to a point where we have MLS producing three USMNT quality starters a year, that means even the better clubs are only going to hit maybe once every two years.
Ive said it elsewhere...but if MLS wants to make money they need a strong USMNT....they don't want to or dont know how to make that happen apparently...(i think a combo of both)
its why i think they need to do work now to establish the outbound transfer markets for young mls players. you need us players to be valued properly in the international market for mls to get valued properly. mls ceiling right now is nhl, which still is enough to support $80 million or so in salary cap. if you want the real big tv money you need to start having proof that your league is on par with the big european ones.
they've been penny-wise pound-foolish...in my opinion. Need to focus on getting as many players out of MLS and transferred to bigger leagues/teams ....let the bryan reynolds or fontana's play...and the reggie cannons and aaronoson's spread their wings....I think MLS is guilty of thinking that tehse players who are good enough for transfers are hard to replace. they aren't. the model of letting teams compete with each other for survival is compelling (for some fans) but it doesnt lend itself to full development of the pool...which is what usmnt fans should care about. too many kellyn acosta/aaron long stories of players who miss their chance to transfer and become mls lifers...MLS thinks it is a win...they can keep thier "stars"...but it stunts the growth of their players, gives them a low ceiling and clogs the pipeline for new talent to come through... Also, MLS needs to stop interfering so much with the USMNT on its own behalf....whatever makes the USMNT win and do well...helps the MLS...even if it is with zero MLS players...i dont think they understand this. The day USA makes semi or final or wins a WC...MLS valuations will skyrocket....especially if the USMNT becomes perennial contenders....and getting as many us players into euro teams is key aspect on that path. just let it happen.
Aaronson to Salzburg is getting much warmer. If it happens, I would be extremely surprised if he moves before January. I strongly believe he finishes the season for Philly (and Philly believes they can win the title this year).
It will not be the end of the world if Aaronson doesn’t arrive to Salzburg until January. Philly ownership will still make the same money for the sale and also show their fans they’re serious about winning. Which is something they haven’t shown in their 10 seasons previously.
I prefer that he leave MLS sooner so that he can get more time with a quality European manager and start learning from him immediately. (Only kind of joking there.)