You have all been so patient and I appreciate it. To thank you, here is a decently comprehensive but also slightly "blurred out" photograph of the Matt Besler scene at this moment.
In all, there are 10 European clubs at various levels of monitoring/interest/offer talks for the Sporting KC defender. Only one of those clubs currently hanging around is in the Bundesliga, and probably will not pony up what the MLS champs are asking (which as I said recently, would break their club record sale of somewhere in the $5-6 million range for Eddie Johnson).
So then let us focus on England. A clear majority of the nine teams at some distance in the Besler frame are in the Prem. I can confirm that one of those admirers is Sunderland, and that they have not made an offer yet. I can also now confirm that Fulham is one of the Championship suitors, and that they have made at least one offer to now. Those are the only names I will spill at this time, but I am confident you can knock those possibilities around pretty good to pass the time. I can also re-assure you that constant rumor mill link QPR are not in this scene. I know their name keeps popping up here and there, but the last time they were browsing Besler was about a year ago.
As for the time to pass, you will not be waiting long. One way or the other, Besler is aiming to make his decision by Monday. And as I am told, that is a hard deadline this time.
- Greg Seltzer
Tuesday, July 15, 2014
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13 comments:
Thanks for the info! Normally I'd be a little hesitant about a club like Sunderland, but then I remember they spend 70% of each match in their defensive half, so Besler would get to shine in that system.
Poyet has installed a possession-based system... They aren't barca, but certainly aren't bunkerball... Their problem is scoring in final third...
Sunderland: 46% possession. #17 in the league.
Correction: that possession was good enough for 13th in the league.
I feel like Villa has to be in the mix. I'm not sure how well Besler would fit into their 3 CB formation though.
Thanks for the scoop, Greg.
For some reason, I can't put my finger on it, but I don't see Besler leaving MLS. I think he'll get a DP deal and stay.
I assume you are including Sunderland's possession stats for 1/3 of their season under Di Canio, yes?
Sunderland possession was not so much the problem last season. It was what they did with it (and did not do with it) once they reached the final third. It was like a basketball team that only shoots long threes. When they finally started recognizing that you can pass the ball into the box looking for the strikers, they started a rescuing win streak.
would love to see besler at sunderland- excellent tutors in o'shea and brown, who surely will see time limited through injury and cards. But will understudy in (lower) mid-table EPL side be enough?
Greg - is it true that a £3m offer to be tendered by Sunlun for Bes (if not already offered)?
Rather dubious post across the wires now from Sports Mole that I'm not sure should be trusted...
http://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/sporting-kansas-city/transfer-talk/news/report-sunderland-want-besler_165412.html
Lots of chirping that Villa are prepping an offer as well...
Well, for starters, that Sunderland Echo story does not actually say they beat out Fulham for the signing. At least not that I can see on their site.
But yes, I expect them to make an offer. As of the post yesterday, they had not. As for the size of offer, they are going to need to get much closer to 4M GBP if they want to get him.
As for Villa, I have also heard they were interested and am about 75% sure of it, but have not had the chance to confirm it yet.
Looks like Football 365 is reporting offer tendered as well:
USA defender Matt Besler confirms Sunderland have made an offer for him.
by Football365 10:19 AM
http://www.scribblelive.com/Event/The_F365_Transfer_Blog_-_Wednesday_July_16/121730965
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