Russell Isabella-USA Today Sports
Clint Dempsey‘s $9 million transfer from EPL side Tottenham Spurs to MLS side Seattle Sounders took the interwebs by storm. Well, another US Men’s National player might join a MLS team. In Tuesday’s twitter Q&A ahead of the United States’ Wednesday friendly against Bosnia-Hersegovina, midfielder Jermaine Jones would consider playing in Major League Soccer.
Of course. My contract is up next summer and I could see myself in @MLS RT: @acohen206 Would you consider playing in #MLS at some point
— U.S. Soccer (@ussoccer) August 13, 2013
As stated in US Soccer’s tweet above, Jones’ current contract with Bundesliga side FC Schalke 04 ends after next summer. With the 2014 World Qualifying still in full swing, many MLS teams could be chasing after Jones’ signature.
With Jones not in a contract, he would be a free transfer. However, Jones’ future contract with an MLS team would require him signing a designated player (DP) contract. MLS teams pay a DP up to $350,000 a year or $175,00 if a summer transfer transaction with the league pays the rest of the contract.
The USMNT midfielder will only be 32 years old and has 14 years of experiencing playing in England and Germany. In addition, after playing in the 2014 World Cup, Jones could easily pass 40 USMNT appearances.
There is a possibility that Jones could join MLS before the 2014 season, but he has stated he’d rather come stateside mid-season. In addition, there would be a transfer fee if he left Schalke before his contract ended.
Another reason for waiting until summer to transfer is the 2014 World Cup, which take place between June 12 and July 13. He should be in prime form and MLS teams could easily scout his play at the highest level.
While Jones has stated he would be up to joining MLS, it is unsure what his top teams to play for would be. Depending on how many free DP positions teams have next year, it would not be surprising to see his name linked to teams like New York Red Bulls or Sporting Kansas City, but any team would be crazy not to sign one of the best midfielders out there.
Phil Naegely is a writer for www.RantSports.com. Like him on Facebook, follow on Twitter @PnaegelyRS, and on Google.
