The Transfer Train Just Don’t Stop

December 18th, 2008 | by: Brooks Peck | View Comments

Pictured above: Standard Liege players holding Oguchi Onyewu hostage (back row, second from left)

Well, after it sounded like Gooch to Marseille was all but a done deal, here comes Standard Liege sporting director Pierre Francois, who might have the most French name in the history of the world, saying they’re basically going to hold him at gunpoint until the season ends:

“[Onyewu] won’t leave in January,” said Standard Liege sporting director Pierre Francois in an interview with Belgium newspaper La Dernière Heure. “We offered him a new contract. If he doesn’t accept that, he will leave after this season. We prefer to keep him for another six months and let him go for free than to sell him in January for just a small fee.”

To which I replied:

“Wow, you’re a dick.”

But the good news is that the interest in Gooch appears to be strong in French Ligue 1, as both Marseille and Paris Saint-Germain are reportedly willing to pay his $4.3 million price tag. So, unless something terrible happens between now and June, don’t be surprised if Onyewu is wearing one of those kits next season.

****

Meanwhile, reports are that a deal has already been completed to send Neven Subotic to Napoli. Subotic has been absolutely stellar so far this season and there was a lot of interest in him, but if this deal does go through, I think it should be a good thing. Napoli is a solid club and has proven to be a place where young talent can develop quickly over the last few years.

Of course, the bigger question for us is what impact this would have on his chances of playing for the US MNT. I think the answer is none, but Italy might be a good place to keep the interest of Bob Bradley and co. I mean, if Danny Szetela can keep him interested while playing at Serie B side Brescia, Subotic should have them drooling (and hopefully stepping up their pursuit of him) at Napoli.

[Sources: SI and Goal]