By IVES GALARCEP
The rumor that dominated the American soccer world on Thursday night looks to be moving closer to becoming reality, with ESPNFC reporting that Clint Dempsey and the Seattle Sounders are finalizing a deal to bring the U.S. Men’s National Team captain back to MLS.
Dempsey was spotted in San Francisco on Thursday, which sparked rumors of a potential move, and with sightings of Dempsey in Seattle, the steam began to build on a potential Sounders move for the former New England Revolution standout. The ESPN FC Report is the first to offer a concrete stance on confirming that a move is in the works.
There are no details available on the transfer fee that would be paid to Tottenham, or what mechanism the Sounders will use to land Dempsey, who left MLS after the 2006 season to join English side Fulham. At the moment, there has been no official comment made, and conflicting reports have included statements from Sounders officials claiming no contact had been made with Dempsey.
The move would be a stunning development for a player who just made an almost $10 million transfer from Fulham to Tottenham just a year ago, but it is clear the Sounders are serious about building a championship contender this year, and adding Dempsey to an attack that already features Eddie Johnson Obafemi Martins and Mauro Rosales will make Seattle just that.
For his part, Dempsey had glowing praise for Seattle during his recent trip to the Pacific Northwest for the June World Cup qualifying win vs. Panama.
“I’m good friends with Eddie Johnson and he’s always telling me what it’s like playing (in Seattle),” Dempsey said in June. “Playing in front of the fans and just how it’s an atmosphere that’s comparable to what it is in Europe.
“It’s great to see because I remember when I first started out in MLS things weren’t like that,” Dempsey added. “So it’s great to see that the game is building and that there are markets like this where people have passion for the game.
“I almost felt like I was in another country the other day when the Seattle Sounders game was on. I was walking to get dinner and just walking past a bar the TV was on and everyone was watching soccer.
“For me that was awesome.”
What do you think of this development? Excited about the news? Not going to believe it until he is holding up a Sounders jersey? Think anyone can stop a Dempsey-Johnson tandem?
Share your thoughts below.