Szetela's decision imminent
Danny Szetela has not signed with Roma, Brescia or even new player Newcastle United. At least not yet.
Conflicting reports have the Clifton-born midfielder headed to everywhere from Rome to England but as of early this evening Szetela has yet to sign a deal with anybody. Sources close to Szetela insist that the Columbus Crew midfielder has yet to decide where he will move to next, but will decide by early tomorrow.
One source told SBI that Szetela has rejected the Italian suitors in favor of a move to Newcastle United, but a source close to Szetela insists that he hasn't signed a thing yet. The same source also denied rumors that Szetela was in Italy to broker his move to Roma.
A move to Italy looks the least likely at this point, with a potential move to Roma all but dead. Roma had negotiated a transfer with MLS in the $150K to $200K range but that deal fell apart after Szetela parted ways with his agent at the time.
Brescia's last-ditch approach fell short of the mark, even after Brescia attempted to enter into a co-ownership agreement with Roma. That move looks like the last good chance Szetela had of leaving MLS during the summer window.
Now, it appears as if Szetela will sign a pre-contract and leave MLS this winter, which means he will have to spend the next two to three months with the Columbus Crew, where he has fallen back out of favor after playing well upon returning from the Under-20 World Cup.
So right now Szetela is in Columbus mulling offers from England, Italy and Spain and the 20-year-old will make a decision either tonight or early tomorrow.
I'll offer more details as they become available. Where do I think he will end up? He always wanted to go to England so I think he could wind up passing up a better deal in Italy to fulfill that dream with Newcastle.
What do you think of this situation? Share your thoughts below.
isn't Shep Messing one of his agents? did he have a falling out with him?
Posted by: Jasen | August 30, 2007 at 07:48 PM
Has he got the numbers, or passport, to get an English work permit?
Posted by: Kelly | August 30, 2007 at 07:52 PM
And yeah, what he said about Shep...
Posted by: Kelly | August 30, 2007 at 07:52 PM
it seems to me that if he is set on going to Serie A, he should go to Roma where they will no doubt loan him out to a Serie B or low table Serie A side.
I just hope he doesn't go to England. At least in Serie A he will refine technical skills, in England he'll learn how to launch useless long balls and refine his late, reckless tackling ability.
Posted by: papa bear | August 30, 2007 at 07:52 PM
Reading this latest rumor/speculation made me hope all deals fall through and the kid is left to prove himself in MLS.
If I have to guess where he'll go, I'll say Newcastle, where he'll play reserves or be loaned out to a low level Championship squad.
Posted by: Matt L | August 30, 2007 at 07:59 PM
American Soccer Daily reported Everton and Reading as possible suitors. Is there any truth to those rumors?
Posted by: Dave | August 30, 2007 at 08:04 PM
kelly,
his parents are polish so he would qualify for a work permit, despite not being able to hold down a job in columbus
Posted by: Peter | August 30, 2007 at 08:30 PM
is shep messing the agent that danny parted ways with?
Posted by: wendel | August 30, 2007 at 08:36 PM
Bummer...I was hoping he would go to Italy. I think Italy would have been better for him.
Posted by: Paul Lorinczi | August 30, 2007 at 09:07 PM
He needs to play. Sitting on the bench at Newcastle or Roma wouldn't be good for him. Something bothers me about him even though he played well at u-20 Canada. Sigi Schmid said he could see Szetela playing in Europe...or possibly the A-league.
Posted by: Andolini | August 30, 2007 at 09:44 PM
would be nice to see an American do well in Italy.
Posted by: nico | August 30, 2007 at 10:02 PM
My Italian friend (who is a Roma fan) told me earlier today that Szetela was signing a pre-contract for Roma. Oh well.
It is a little strange how public these negotiations have been. Does Danny have trouble making up his mind or have some reporters jumped the gun on writing about it?
Posted by: Derek | August 30, 2007 at 10:53 PM
I hear he's huge in Japan so he may end up in the J-League.
Then again, I think a team in the Greek second division made up of dead philosophers made a seven figure offer to the MLS. Socretes injured himself on the header he scored against the Germans so Szetela would fill in for him.
(Hey, we've mentioned almost every country in the European Union as a possible transfer. I might as well start my own rumors.)
Posted by: Wade | August 31, 2007 at 12:15 AM
He is suited for Nwcastle and the BPL. A big strong fast midfielder with skills. He would fit right in with the style in England
Posted by: doug | August 31, 2007 at 09:28 AM
Wade, let's not get silly. The Greek offer was in drachmas, so it doesn't compete with the Brescia offer.
Posted by: MattM | August 31, 2007 at 09:29 AM
Danny,
Thankfully the final day for transfers is upon us. Enjoy your last day of fame as you make your journey into obscurity. Looking forward to occasional updates of your progress in the future but your current level of hype is unjustified. Good to see that your handlers are creating some buzz for you hopefully something will come of it all.
Posted by: CD | August 31, 2007 at 09:44 AM
Ives,
Are you slacking or are all the other reports that Danny signed with Newcastle wrong! : )
See Goal.com
Posted by: Michael F. | August 31, 2007 at 09:51 AM
Wow, for a decision that is "imminent," this story is dragging on a bit too long.
Posted by: Neal a.k.a. Dirty South Futbol | August 31, 2007 at 10:37 AM
Danny should just take an offer and run. It's not like he's all that great that he should be holding out. S!!t or get off the pot!
Posted by: inkedAG | August 31, 2007 at 12:12 PM
To Newcastle per Goal.com...Lalas reporting.
Posted by: Matt L | August 31, 2007 at 02:00 PM
As of 2pm Szetela's decision hadn't been made people so any reports stating otherwise are jumping the gun.
Posted by: Ives | August 31, 2007 at 02:10 PM