Saturday, November 1, 2014

Euro suitors line up for BWP

New York Red Bull forward Bradley Wright Phillips is garnering some interest overseas after his MVP-like regular season, where he scored 27 goals tying the MLS single season record.

MLS Transfers reported on Deadline Day in August that Championship side Blackpool were interested. Since then, MLS Transfers can confirm there has been more interest in the player. 

A source has identified UEFA Champions league qualifier, Norwegian-based Stromsgodset IF as a potential suitor after a few scouts viewied a couple of his performances in September and October. 

MLS Transfers had also learned a club from Switzerland is monitoring BWP's performances, with a scout watching from Red Bull Arena this past Thursday, where Bradley scored two goals to secure a 2-1 win over Sporting Kansas City. 

More information to come.

UPDATE 11/20/14:

Sources overseas and in the states have informed MLS Transfers that BWP has no shortage of options come January.

As originally reported, English club Blackpool and Norwegian side Stromsgodset IF are still in the running.

A source has said Blackpool could be willing to give New York up to $150k if they can get BWP on loan until the Championship season ends in May, and an extra cash incentive bonus should they not be relegated. Blackpool currently sit dead last 17 games into the season.

Another source has said Stromsgodset IF could offer anywhere between $500-700k to get the MLS leading goal scorer.

MLS Transfers has also learned the Swiss club monitoring BWP has been FC Zurich. Currently in the UEFA Europa League, a source says they want to boost their attack for upcoming matches against Apollon Limassol and Borussia Monchengladbach.

It has also been suggested that a number of undisclosed English, Welsh and Scottish clubs have also been keeping close tabs on the English-born forward.


UPDATE 2 12/2/14: 

BWP expects to stay in New York, so says a club source of Zurich. 

Whether hearsay from his agent or the player itself, it's seems that BWP will be plying his trade in NYC next year.

Update from Zurich is that someone from the BWP camp has been denying any and all offers thus far, and that he is expecting to stay in New York.

There have been no updates from Stromsgodset IF, who have been scouting him since August. 

Blackpool source says the club is now focused on finding solutions for the long term. Blackpool had intentions of offering the Red Bulls a compensation package to get BWP on loan through the end of the Championship season. 

UPDATE 3 12/3/14

BWP has signed with New York Red Bulls as a DP. 

MLS Transfers reported yesterday that FC Zurich were told this information just 24 hours before he signed on with NY.

Blackpool and Stromsgodset IF were also strong contenders who were ready to put a bid in for the player.

Zurich were told that BWP was happy in NY and would only go back to Europe if he had a chance to play in the EPL again. 

Although there were suggestions that that was an opportunity, nothing came of it.

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