Red Bulls head coach Juan Carlos Osorio acknolwedged on Wednesday that the Red Bulls are, in fact, considering trying to acquire Venezuelan midfielder Jorge Rojas. Osorio confirmed the recent reports by SBI that Rojas is one of the team’s targets, but that money and other roster needs are keeping the team from signing the left winger.
"I have always looked at him as a very good player," Osorio said of Rojas. "When i was in Millonarios I tried to bring him to play for me and when I first took the job here I asked him to come and money was an issue.
"Obviously now, with the team not doing too well and him having some problems, the opportunity opened up again," Osorio said. "Now it’s for me to make that decision. It’s difficult because yes I would like to sign him because I think he could give us a threat going forward, but it’s a matter of trying to manage the budget that we have at the moment."
According to sources, the Red Bulls would need to acquire an allocation in order to buy Rojas out of his current contract with Union Atletico Maracaibo. Acquiring Rojas could also prevent the Red Bulls from signing another player.
"It also involves another player," Osorio said. "I’m resisting the temptation to make a rash decision as to who I will end up signing but (Rojas) is certainly a great candidate for this league and this team."
Osorio also confirmed that the Red Bulls are still pursuing the possibility of bringing in Red Bull Salzburg midfielder Ernst Obster before the close of the current transfer window.
Osorio also confirmed the SBI report this morning that the club had been pursuing Venezuelan defender and Deportivo Italia center back Gabriel Cichero but that talks stalled because of the price of the player.
Eugene,
Get real, we (Chicago Fire and fans) do not want your leftovers (read: dave van de bergh). Your approach of “sounds like a good deal for both of us” is a little bit of a stretch. No way we give you Conde just because he is acting like a brat and being unprofessional. The Fire’s approach to his behavior is out in the open….get on board or sit on the bench…..this directive is specifically coming from the new owner. Same for Marmol. Either sign with the Fire for the money being offered or no playing in the MLS this year…..agin a directive from the top. You have received your Fire goodwill this year in the way of JCO. That is it.
Ives, I’m happy that Osorio has decided to improve his openness with you about players the team is interested in. Considering you’re likely the primary source of information for NYRB fans, the organization should embrace your coverage of the team.
So Osorio needs at least half an allocation and some cap space (is that right?) to sign Rojas? Perhaps he can deal VDB… perhaps to Chicago for half an allocation (or more) and the rights to Lider Marmol (or even better Conde). Doesn’t sound like a bad deal to me for both us and Chicago.
Exactly VictorM. Matt, Osorio didn’t deny a thing. If you really listen to what Osorio said on Tuesday he really didn’t confirm or deny anything, but anybody trying to create an angle could twist what he said to sound like the club wasn’t interested. If you note from my initial reporting of Osorio’s Tuesday comments, I made it clear that he did NOT deny interest in Rojas.
Matt, I think it’s better that we find out about all the players the club is looking at because A)it’s exciting and entertaining to hear about what’s actually going on and B) it lets people know that Osorio is actually working at trying to find players and isn’t just sitting on his hands waiting for a top player to fall out of the sky.
Some of you guys have to learn to pick up on non-denial denials.
I’m not too scared about not getting a player in. As bad as this team can be, there is a LOT of talent. If players are utilized correctly, the current roster could surprise some people, in my opinion. That said, if Jozy goes this summer, there better be aquisitions.
JCO didn’t deny interest. He denied that Rojas would come on a trial saying that he doesn’t need a trial to prove he’s a good player (paraphrasing).
I’m glad JCO is aware of the restrictions we have as a club and I hope that whoever is on the money side of things helps us to get the most out of what we can spend.
I hope that have at least 1 new player before the window closes. If we don’t, i’ll be very disappointed.
Only part of it, I believe, Broadway Joe.
I think Red Bull sent that allocation to the Fire.
I think it’s Osorio who owes Ives an apology – denying interest one day and confirming it the next. I’ll believe we’re interested in a player when he takes the field at GS in a RBNY shirt. All these rumors are making my head spin.
Ives, do you have a good sense of how much money we still have under the cap? Also, do we not already have an allocation available to use?
Matt,
Apologize to Ives 😉
x3
Ditto!
Nice work here, Ives. I don’t if I’ve said it lately, but you’re the man.