Clint Dempsey's record-setting season may have him on the verge of a summer transfer to a bigger club, but if it's up to Fulham, he'll be staying at Craven Cottage for at least a few more years.
Fulham has reportedly begun talks with Dempsey — who turns 29 today — over a new three-year deal in an effort to hold onto their marquee attacker. Dempsey, who has expressed an interest in getting the chance to compete on the UEFA Champions League stage, is under contract with the Cottagers through the end of the 2012-13 season.
Dempsey has already set a career-high with 18 goals in all competitions this season, and his 12 Premier League goals match his personal best — and the record for an American in the Premiership — that he set last season. His next chance to get on the scoresheet will be Saturday, when Fulham faces Aston Villa.
Here are a few more stories to get your Friday going:
NO MORE CUTS NEEDED AT RANGERS
After another series of twists and turns, it appears that no more player cuts will be necessary at Rangers.
The financial crisis that has swept up the Scottish powerhouse was on the verge of resulting in massive cuts across the roster, but a few players have stepped up to take major pay cuts that will save the club enough money per month that it should not have to release anybody else.
Steven Whittaker, Steven Davis, Alan McGreggor and Steven Naismith have reportedly accepted 75 percent wage cuts that will help stem the tide. Negotiations with players over wage cuts were underway earlier this week before talks halted without an agreement. Players reportedly wanted clauses in their contracts that would allow them to leave on a free transfer this summer.
METAPAN TAKES EDGE IN CCL
Lester Blanco's two goals helped lead Isidro Metapan to a surprise 2-1 win at home over Mexican side Pumas UNAM, giving the Salvadorian club the slight advantage heading into next week's return leg in their CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinal tie.
Blanco scored in each half, with the eventual match-winner coming in the 49th minute.
Pumas salvaged an away goal and put itself in a more favorable spot heading home in the 67th minute, when Eduardo Herrera came up with a tally to cut the deficit in half.
The winner of their tie will play the winner of the Monterrey-Morelia quarterfinal in the next round.
KOMPANY OUT TWO WEEKS
Manchester City centerback Vincent Kompany is out for the next two weeks after suffering a calf injury in the club's UEFA Europa League loss to Sporting Lisbon on Thursday.
Kompany was forced out of the match in the seventh minute, and while the injury does not appear to be serious, the integral defender will have to miss some time. With just 11 matches remaining in the Premier League season and City nursing a two-point lead over rival Manchester United, his absence comes at a tough time. City plays at Swansea City on Sunday.
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What do you make of Fulham offering Dempsey an extension? Relieved to see that no more players will be cut at Rangers? Can you see Metapan knocking off Pumas and advancing to the CCL semifinals? Think Kompany's injury will affect the title race?
Share your thoughts below.
Well if he does sign Fulham’s asking price will escalate to any bidder so he knows it’s in his best interest not to if he wants a move.
If he doesn’t sign though, I wonder if ownership will pressure the manager to reduce his minutes. Will be interesting to watch if this turns into a pissing match.
+1
(Rowdies season ticket holder)
They are a HUGE club. Loads of history, top players and he’d make more there than at Fulham. Plus the Reds are rebuilding to challenge for a top4 spot. Fulham is mid table at best but will never reach the CL.
Chamberlain is a star in the making, I can’t see him taking a back seat unless he starts going through a poor run of form. Would Deuce be ahead of Walcott? Possibly but that could also depend on form.
At the moment Fulham is just as good as Liverpool, if they can keep Clint, Dembele, Ruiz, Pogrebnyak they could challenge for the Champion’s League. I’m not saying it’s likely they will make it there, I’m just saying if it’s possible for Liverpool to get there, it’s possible for Fulham.
We’re talking about a club that has been managed very well, has some money and some great players, and can possibly go for the biggest league finish in their history next year.
How is Liverpool a step up from Fulham? There’s every possibility that Fulham will finish higher than them this year. Liverpool won’t be playing in the Champions League anytime soon.
Even if Deuce signs it doesn’t mean he won’t leave Fulham. If the right situation comes up I can understand why he would want to leave. If he signs a new deal it just means he can’t leave on a free next year.
Selfishly I also hope he signs and stays with Fulham for the rest of his career. I will be upset if he moves to a club that isn’t really a step up (Liverpool, PSG etc). Fulham are three points behind Liverpool currently and look set to challenge for Europe next year. They could easily be next year’s Newcastle.
ditto, everything is right at fulham, even the small stuff like family situation, players, coaches. all are happy and the club is on the rise. I would hate for deuce to follow the footsteps of more than one fulham manager, go to a bigger club, have a poor fit due to players or some other intangible, not get playing time he deserves, get traded to a team less good than fulham, and be on the outside looking in.