SANDY, Utah -- Robbie Findley’s success with the US National Team—making the World Cup roster and then cracking the starting lineup—is a double-edged sword for Real Salt Lake.
On one hand, RSL are very supportive of their players achieving that kind of success and, realistically, this process has been a great learning experience for Findley. He’s bound to come back as a more confident, poised player than when he left for South Africa.
However, on the other hand, there is nothing more high-profile for a soccer player than playing in the World Cup, and teams around the world are starting to take notice.
According to General Manager Garth Lagerwey, RSL “have gotten formal written offers for him now, but they are not for a lot of money.”
Whether or not offers that require more serious consideration will come in is an unknown at this point, but Lagerwey is hopeful that Findley, whose contract expires at the end of the season, decides that his future is in Salt Lake.
“I’ve talked to his agent and I think Robbie’s going to come back to play for us,” said Lagerwey.
That’s probably optimistic thinking, but re-signing the star striker is clearly a priority for the club. In fact, RSL aren’t expecting a lot of change in their roster for the remainder of the year.
“If we use the money that we have to [re-sign Findley],” said Lagerwey, “I’d tell you that’s a heck of a summer transfer window.”
Another player that the team is looking to secure is 21 year-old Argentine midfielder Nelson Gonzalez. The youngster on loan from Quilmes has only seen action in six matches and has suffered through a recent hamstring injury, but the team likes what they see.
“He’s been here for a year and I think Nelson’s done what he has to do to prove himself, and we’d like to keep him,” explains Lagerwey. “But there’s a number at which it makes sense, and a number [at which] it doesn’t.”
It appears that the two sides are getting close on either renewing the loan arrangement or negotiating a buyout to the current loan. Nelson’s current agreement expires at the end of this month.
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