How much is Aron Johannsson worth to a Major League Soccer team’s win-loss record, and how much will he affect people coming through the gates?
Those could be the questions that keep MLS clubs away from the Icelandic-Alabaman USMNT striker, who wants to come to the States’ top flight for between $2 - 2.5 million in salary.
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Johannsson had already said he wants to play Stateside in “his prime”, but a Yahoo Sports report said his desires have obstacles.
From Yahoo Sports:No MLS team seems quite ready to pay Johannsson his wage demands, the source said, perhaps indicating that clubs are just now beginning to reign in their willingness to overspend for U.S. national team stars. Since last year, American standouts like Jozy Altidore, Michael Bradley andClint Dempsey have returned to MLS for big-money offers.
If a Johannsson move to MLS ever comes to fruition, it would be yet another indicator that North America’s top domestic flight has gone from being a selling league to one that buys.
The 17-times capped USMNT player has four goals for the Yanks, most recently netting the third goal in a 6-0 win over Cuba. He’s also scored at Denmark and Panama, as well as home to Azerbaijan.
For club, the AZ Alkmaar man has 36 goals in his last two seasons in the Eredivisie. The free-flowing league has launched the club fates of stars like Luis Suarez and Bas Dost, but also those who didn’t adjust to their new leagues (see: Altidore, Jozy).
Would you drop $2 million on Johannsson? And what sort of transfer fee would he net after extending his deal at AZ through 2017-18?
