DeAndre Yedlin’s recent run of starts for Newcastle United has boosted his profile on the transfer market just as the January transfer window has opened, and while there are sure to be European suitors interested in a player in the final months of his contract, Yedlin has received a serious offer to return to Major League Soccer.
An unidentified Eastern Conference team has tabled a long-term guaranteed TAM offer for Yedlin, sources have confirmed to SBI, an offer Yedlin is said to be considering as he weighs his post-Newcastle future.
The identity of the MLS team in question is unknown, but there are some teams that make sense for the former Seattle Sounder:
COLUMBUS CREW – Yedlin played college soccer at The University of Akron under Caleb Porter, who is coming off an MLS Cup title triumph with the Columbus Crew. Given the Crew’s success, and the fact the team is preparing to move into a new stadium later this year, the Crew are believed to be preparing to infuse some serious money into strengthening the team even more and Yedlin would qualify as an upgrade at right back.
FC CINCINNATI – The struggling Ohio club is another team with the resources and need for an upgrade at right back. Cincinnati had been pursuing a high-priced left back option outside of MLS before settling on Ronald Matarrita via trade, and could still use those same resources to make a bid for Yedlin. A Matarrita-Yedlin fullback tandem would be the most dynamic pairing in MLS.
INTER MIAMI – Right back was a trouble spot for Miami, with Diego Alonso using Nico Figal there despite Figal being better suited as a central defender. Yedlin has shown in his recent performances against the likes of Liverpool and Manchester City that he has improved the defensive side of his game considerably, making him a good fit to help Miami’s defensive issues.
ATLANTA UNITED – The Five Stripes spent 2020 plugging right back with converted winger Brooks Lennon as well as Franco Escobar, who is more a central defender. New head coach Gabriel Heinze was a standout fullback in his playing days and knows the value of solid fullbacks. Money shouldn’t be an issue for a team that sold Pity Martinez after selling Miguel Almiron.
A return to Seattle would make sense from a positional need standpoint, as Yedlin would be a clear upgrade at right back for the Sounders, but the salary and price it would take to secure the top allocation order spot to select Yedlin would make it too pricey an endeavor for the Sounders, who don’t have a ton of salary budget flexibility. Sources tell SBI that the Sounders did inquire about Yedlin last summer, but ultimately determined a move wouldn’t work from a financial standpoint.
At this point, at least one MLS team has made a serious offer, but it could still wind up being for naught if European clubs step up with strong bids for Yedlin, who is 27 and set to become a free agent this summer. Of course, Newcastle could still make a bid to try and keep him, but it will be difficult to keep Yedlin from testing the market this year with his contract set to expire this summer.
Where could you see Yedlin in 2021? Hoping he returns to MLS, or think he can still help some European teams?
Share your thoughts below.
He’s 27 and you have to think this is his last chance at big money. So I’m thinking he’s going to go to whoever offers him the most money. If that hurts is chances to suit up for the Nats oh well.
I agree with Dainja. Additionally,I can’t imagine that any MLS team could get him except with major DP money.
Please stay in Europe, Yedlin. If you’re good enough to start for Newcastle (and play well against Liverpool), we need you playing in the best leagues possible, as I still think he can help the USMNT.
Wherever he goes he needs to be playing regular 1st team minutes. That’s been hard for him to come buy over the last 6+ months. There was interest from a Turkish club this past summer, and I’m sure there are other leagues (Championship, 2nd Bundesliga, etc…) that have enough $$ to outbid an MLS club, so will likely come down to Yedlin’s choosing.
Why would Yedlin go down in various levels of competition to Championship or Bundesliga2? He can play in the EPL. Injury and change in coach held him back. Yedlin could play very well in a top five league for a mid level club. One of the issues is those clubs with no fans are not buying players
Doubtful a second division club would pay him more money than MLS, they just don’t have that kind of payroll. As others have said he’s not going to develop much more at this point either and given his recent run of leg injuries he’s probably in decline. That decline maybe sharper in MLS given lack of competition for playing time of course. Go where he feels comfortable and he’ll have a chance to play.
I dont think that you know how it works. He is passed the age that he can develop with time enough to move to a real team and make money for the owner, so Newcastle wants the next young thing to actually progress and make them money. That doesnt seem possible to me at Newcastle, but that is the way it works.
MLS teams are trying to win, the clubs with no fans that Twomilerule is talking about….are NOT.
NOT that Yedlin can’t help some non factor Euro club win, it isnt about winning.