The Daily Dirt, January 28: Contractual Obligations

The rumor mill in Italy was churning hard last night about Josef Martinez and the likelihood of the Torino player joining Atlanta United. Some reports have him en route for a medical. The deal has also been reported as a “loan with an obligation to buy” in the summer. These types of deals are not uncommon (here’s an example from Chris Ashley on Twitter).

With the type of money that is being attached to these reports, Martinez would be the club’s third and final Designated Player. The “loan with an obligation to buy” situation could be a way to essentially give Martinez a trial before triggering the substantial transfer fee. It could also be a way to reduce his salary cap hit.

According to last year’s MLS Roster Rules and Regulations:

In 2016, a Designated Player that is 24-years-old or older during the league year will carry the Maximum Budget Charge ($457,500) unless the player joins his club after the opening of the Secondary Transfer Window, in which case his budget charge will be $228,750.

By waiting until the Secondary Transfer Window in the summer, Atlanta might be able to get Martinez on a lesser budget charge for 2017. I am not a capologist, but this could be a brilliant gaming of the system by the Atlanta front office and might explain the “loan with an obligation to buy” structure of the deal.

Martinez has shown in his career that he has an ability to play off of a central striker or play out wide and cut inside. His speed, combined with Miguel Almirón and Tito Villalba, will make Atlanta one of the fastest teams in MLS history. Martinez is also an addition with a knack for scoring goals, something that will help take the pressure off Kenwyne Jones if it comes to fruition.

Domestic

Matt Doyle attempts to predict the current starting lineup for all 22 MLS teams (MLS)

Hiroshi Kiyotake will be leaving Sevilla, could he join the Seattle Sounders? (Sounder at Heart)

Portland Timbers rusty in preseason opener against the New York Red Bulls (Stumptown Footy)

Thoughts on the Vancouver Whitecaps’ loss in their preseason opener to Cardiff City’s U23’s (Eighty Six Forever)

Tampa Bay Rowdies owner Bill Edwards courting local business support ahead of his MLS expansion bid (Tampa Bay Times)

Atlanta’s Jimmy Maurer re-signs with the New York Cosmos (This Is Cosmos Country)

International

The divergence away from the Barca way (SB Nation)

Club Tijuana is a breeding ground for American talent (Stars and Stripes FC)

Leeds United co-owner cleared of tax evasion (Daily Mail)

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