Roger Espinoza's Olympic performance for Honduras is still lingering in the front offices of clubs in England, and it appears as if one is eager to pry him away from Sporting Kansas City prior to the close of the European summer transfer window.
According to reports from England, Premier League side Wigan Athletic is looking to make a move for Espinoza, who is in the final year of his contract with Sporting KC and MLS. Espinoza wowed scouts, coaches and fans with his showing in the Olympics, most notably in Honduras' quarterfinal bout against Brazil, in which Espinoza walked off to a standing ovation after being sent off for his second yellow card late in the game.
Espinoza, a hard-tackling, industrious central midfielder, has been a key cog for Sporting KC, helping the club to the U.S. Open Cup championship and a place atop the Eastern Conference standings. With his value at its highest and Sporting KC standing to potentially lose him for nothing after the season, though, the club has a decision to make, weighing current goals with Espinoza's transfer value.
For Sporting KC, losing Espinoza now would also mean losing two starters for the remainder of the season after Teal Bunbury was ruled out for the next 6-to-8 months with a torn ACL. The club has cover in central midfield with Paulo Nagamura, Julio Cesar and Peterson Joseph, but Espinoza, in his fifth season out of Ohio State University, has proven to be one of the league's top players at his position.
Honduras internationals are no strangers to Wigan, who have been said to have interest in D.C. United's Andy Najar as well. Veteran defender and Olympic overage player Maynor Figueroa currently plays for the Latics, and current Stoke City central midfielder Wilson Palacios played for Wigan for two seasons between 2007 and 2009.
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What do you think of this development? Should Sporting KC look to sell Espinoza now and cash in on his value? Or is he too important to the club with an MLS Cup title within reach?
Share your thoughts below.