photo courtesy of Soccer By Ives
According to Ives Galarcep, Real Salt Lake striker Yura Movsisyan is set to leave MLS after this season after signing a contract with the Danish club Randers. This has also been confirmed on Real Salt Lake's official team blog, Behind the Shield.
Last week, RSL GM Garth Lagerwey hinted that another transaction was potentially in the works and that "we should know more within a week". This is likely the transaction that he was referring to. At that time, Lagerwey indicated that they would likely only be seeking to fill one of their two open roster spots with a complementary player during this current transfer window unless the other transaction went through.
It's a little puzzling how this is connected as all reports indicate that this move will occur in January after the end of the season, and under FIFA regulations a free transfer is in order. However, there is an allowance for training compensation and this may be part of the deal that is being worked out.
It's possible that there were negotiations under way to have Yura leave the club during this transfer window, and give RSL compensation for this early departure. The report on SBI indicated that these discussions have taken place, but RSL would not agree to the terms.
Goal.com's Greg Lalas has reported that Garth Lagerwey revealed that "Negotiations are ongoing between MLS and Randers about a possible transfer," and that "Yura’s expressed for a year or so that he wanted to go to Europe. He indicated he might leave this summer."
The striker had recently been rounding into form, having 3 goals and an assist in the last 5 matches. Replacing his production on the field may be possible, but it will be difficult to replace the potential that he brings to the table as the striker is physically gifted, and tenacious but has lacked a consistent quality first touch, and has been searching for that deadly finishing ability that eludes many young strikers.
