I was able to speak this afternoon with Livorno CEO Roberto Spinelli, who informed that the Serie A risers are indeed trying to land both Landon Donovan and Ricardo Clark. Agent Richard Motzkin, who represents both, also confirmed the ongoing talks to me.While it's not quite clear precisely how advanced each set of negotiations are, they are both well beyond the "hello" stage. The key to a Donovan switch, which would take place in January, seems to be Livorno coming up with some sponsor backing for the transfer fee/player wages.
- Greg Seltzer
Posts
24 comments:
Great stuff as always, Why would the transfer be in january?
Maybe Nike can step in and help. LD is a Nike guy. I hope this happens for both guys.
@ lakers: Setting aside that there is no way the Galaxy could sell Donovan right this minute from a PR standpoint and that he almost certainly wants to play out this season (note his last two moves also came after New Year's Day), I think the added time could take just enough off his transfer fee that they could wrangle a deal together.
Of course, a danger in talking this early is that someone else will swoop in on you with a better offer.
@ eric: Livorno shirts are made by Legea.
Wow..nice job Greg...talking to CEOs and what not. Balla.
Donovan is out of contract after this season, right? So he could walk for free to Livorno (or anyone) in January?
I wish I knew what to think about this. It seems like a good move for Clark, but I have no clue for Landon.
@ Sean: Grazie.
@ bham: If I recall correctly, and I think I do, Donovan's contract expires at the end of this season, but MLS also holds two option years on top of that.
In other words, he is essentially "locked down" from a league standpoint until after the 2011 season.
I think when Donovan signed that contract he had given up on Europe for some crazy reason. So he could be both playing a league he's to go for and get signifcantly underpaid
good for*
Greg you're the man. Keep up the FINE work.
Greg: Out of curiosity, how much time would you say you spend doing primary reporting? And how many languages do you speak that you're able to reach out to all of these folks (or can you have most of your conversations in English).
I'm not exactly new here--daily reader for a few months now--but I'm always impressed that you seem to be so active working the phones. It's greatly appreciated, of course.
Interesting stuff about Donovan, btw.
Also, Greg, anything on Zak Whitbread? The internets are reporting a move to Nottingham Forest is in advanced discussions.
@ strago: Thank you, sir.
@ Matt: Thanks for the kind words. Now, to answer your questions...
It really depends on what's happening as to how much of my day is directly on the chase. Some days (especially in August and January), I might be on the phone, Skype, chat or email nearly all day long. Some days, I don't hit the phones at all.
As far as languages beyond English, I speak decent Dutch, a little German, rusty French, and can at least get calls started to find an English speaker in a few other languages (Italian, Spanish).
When it comes to merely reading or if given time to write out an email, my French/German gets much better. The urgency of conversation kinda wrecks me on those - after all, I'm thinking in English, then translating in my head. It can be awkward.
Luckily, I can find my way to an English speaker at almost any club.
Oh... and the only thing I've heard about Whitbread came from that same Forest report. I've kinda been doing my digging away from England lately.
Why would MLS sell Landon for anything less than their record transfer fee when they hold a two year option in his contract?
@Drew:
They Wouldn't, that's why Livorno is going to have a tough time getting the money to make this deal happen.
@ last two comments:
That's a damn shame. I have to think that Donovan would jump at the chance to move to the Serie A, especially if he'd be jumping into an important role on the Livorno squad. LA is a pressure cooker for him right now, considering what's happening off the pitch and in the press. I'm really pulling for this transfer to go through.
What are the chances he could buy out his contract?
@ Greg: long time reader, first time poster. You, Goff, and Ives post nothing but the best. Keep it up, man.
i just want to point out that there are 17 (now 18) comments on a simple (but exciting) post. greg, congrats are in order, you have done a great job with the site and there is a reason that it is ranked number two most viewed in my google crome browser. now just find a way to get pearce to a dutch team.
Great tip, Greg! Sounds like a great prospect for Clark and maybe something to get the ball rolling on more offers for Landon.
If Nike is going to be kicking in half the fee then Nike should demand a bigger club.
Thanks again to all the props droppers.
@ drew: The record fee is around $10M for Altidore. Donovan, put simply, is not worth that much at this time, mostly because he's 27 without appreciable European experience/success and not 19 without appreciable European experience/success.
Besides, the league owes Landon a bit of consideration not to play utmost hardball in talks. I'd guess that $7-8M or so should be enough.
Gooch could possibly be the best American target striker. Good efforts up front for AC Milan tonight, lol. He's got potential up top!
I'll echo the "great stuff" commentary, as it is . . .
Also, we've all bitten on Donovan for obvious reasons, but largley ignored Clark.
Seems it would be a huge step for Rico, one that would really push him to clean up his touches on top of that athleticsm. Good for US. I don't know how likely based on contract status, etc. though. How much are we thinking he'd command?
Ricardo is out of contract at season's end... so not much.
I suppose I coulda mentioned that. :D
Post a Comment