Toja Deal Stalls
July 24th, 2008 . 11:17 pm . By: Buzz CarrickIn what is rapidly turning into one of the biggest soap operas in FCD history, the Juan Toja transfer to Steaua Bucharest is being held up at the final hurdle. According to a source familiar with the negations, the deal has hit a snag over the final selling price. While we have been unable to confirm the price point that separates the two teams, the final gap does appear to be large enough to endanger the transfer. With two years left on his $150,000 per year contract, FCD will want serious value to sell the two-time All-Star. Thursday night, Toja said he is still very interested in the move but confirmed to SBI that the deal was not yet final. “People talk a lot and I’ve tried to make it clear that while it is a great opportunity and we’re trying to get it done, nothing is certain yet,” Toja told SBI after the MLS All-Star Game. “The truth is nothing has happened and nothing has been signed so until something is signed then we don’t know what will happen.” Toja’s latest denials and our own well placed source’s confirmation of a stall are but the latest developments in a crazy last 48 hours. Wednesday morning Schellas Hyndman had been quite clear that no deal was in place, despite multiple reports in the Romanian press. Hyndman also made a verbal plea to his midfielder to stay in Dallas with the promise to talk about a new contract, but did promise to support his move. Later that same day, a league level source at the All-Star game told 3rd Degree that the Toja transfer was a “done deal.” That same afternoon various reports arose in Romania, as they had all week in fact, again saying the deal was done. Including one article that features an interview with the player in question that might just be fake. That same evening the FCD Blog ran a rebuttle to the various done deal stories, saying no deal was in place. Meanwhile the Dallas Morning New ran a piece saying the deal was getting close, but ran a quote by Toja’s agent (from another Romanian newspaper) saying the payment schedule was the hold up. “‘The problem for the transfer is that Steaua doesn’t want to pay the full amount for Toja immediately,’ Nestor Sivori, Toja’s agent, told Bucharest daily Prosport.” wrote the DMN. Also in the DMN article, Hyndman again echo’s the “price is the problem” line, teasing what we’ve now learned late today. “I expect him here to play against LA,” Hyndman told the DMN. “No one has told me any different. After that, there may be some changes. They have to give FC Dallas an offer that we think is the value of Juan’s ability. We don’t want to give Juan away.” On Thursday FIFA itself got in on the act saying the deal was going forward, and even quoted Toja as saying, “‘I’ve reached agreement, the clubs have agreed, all that’s left is to sign,’ the 23-year-old Toja told the sports daily Gazeta Sporturilor.” That evening on the All-Star game broadcast the commentators again reference a pending deal. Now late Thursday night/Friday morning, 3rd Degree has learned from a well placed source familiar with the negotiations that the deal is stalling over the final price. FC Dallas is apparently standing their ground over the value of the player. With SBI reporting the price sitting at $700,000 US, it’s no wonder FCD is holding firm as coaching staff source indicated to 3rd Degree last week that the offer would have to be a good bit above $1 million for the Red Stripes to bite on the sale. So there you have it, the not-done, done deal is again… um… er… 5 plus 7, minus 2, carry the 1…. Is again not done. Anyone confused enough yet? 24 Comments Comments RSS TrackBack Identifier URI Leave a comment |
Good!! Plus I think he did really well at the all star game. Some nice touches indeed.
I vote everyone break out the Toja wigs from last season and wear them in what will likely be a final tribute on Sunday.
[...] 25, 2008 Toja is not gone yet. Oh the [...]
The deals must not be quite final but will Toja or Cooper play against LA with the deals pending? I say no, MLS doesn’t want to mess these things up with an injury or two.
Wow… This is a roller coaster.. Buzz – What about Cooper? For a while there it sounded like Rosenborg had focused their on Buddle, but Cooper’s comments at the All star game certainly added fuel to the fire when he started talking about “How MLS had treated him well..”. Could have been bad interview etiquette on Cooper’s part.. but a sentence like that is the beginning of a farewell speech.
Cooper sounds like that cause he doesn’t know what’s going on, his pops and agent handle all of that so the kid be focused on playing.
I am hearing three teams have put in bids for Cooper, but I think the HSG valuation of him is high enough he won’t move now. The danger is this winter when he might be able to wiggle out of his last two years some how.
my god! man this is crazy. Its better if he goes to Europe. He will get more visibility when his club plays clubs in Italy or Spain or England and coaches will be watching. He has a better chance of making his national team. He is really talented and deserves that. Maybe this doesnt have to be his last All star game. Why not bring Steaua next year? Hoping it works out for him.
sweet, 700,000 bucks is nothing for Toja! Hey, Romanians! Put your money where your mouth is or shut the hell up. You want Toja, he’s a 1.5+M guy. you dont like it. go fiind another Toja. F’n Low-ballin cheap commie bastards…
I prefer losing Toja than Cooper, we have young midfielder that can step up, but we dont have any striker at all. + Toja is not playing that good this yr
Toja will play saturday against LA Galaxy and then will come in Romania to sign for Steaua. The deal is already done, the papers are signed. Steaua confirmed.
Cheers from Romania.
The papers between the clubs *
I hate the thought of either of them leaving. What a mess!
You know, everyone needs to give Toja a break about his playing this year. When you play the wrong position due to coach wanting to be experimental with the mid-field, performance will be down. I love the Texas Fan and the support players receive in all sports. Kick them to the curb if they are not doing well….Give him a break!
Can you tell me where he played in midfield last year and where he plays now?
“sweet, 700,000 bucks is nothing for Toja! Hey, Romanians! Put your money where your mouth is or shut the hell up. You want Toja, he’s a 1.5+M guy. you dont like it. go fiind another Toja. F’n Low-ballin cheap commie bastards”
Hey jayslick, keep this kind of crap off here. No need for it at all.
Umm, its like the internet dude. You can post whatever comments you want. I really think it was a play at being funny. Geez Mr sensitive…
I hope FCD comes to their senses and is unwilling to part with our all-stars. Toja’s performance at the all-star game is a look ahead at his potential when FC Dallas gets their offense together.
Buzz-
This whole thing about Toja AND Cooper is fueled solely by your our speculation and “sources”. Don’t you think it is about time you got it right?
will they ever get behind the club & focus on building a winning team?
positive thinking…ooommm
positive thinking…ooommm
Don’t tear out our heart!!! what else do we have besides Juan and Kenny??? They are the spirit of the team! Juan,No te Vayas!
jsig – yeah, Buzz is just making crap up and feuling the fire because that is what he does.
In fact, he has been more on top of this – and more right – than any other journalist covering this issue.
Here’s a glove – go catch a clue.
700K is just Dallas’ share, FCD/MLS negoatiated a 50% share of any future transfers to his old club before coming to MLS. So they are only about 100K apart here with FCD wanting 1.5 and Steaua willing to pay 1.4. The only other sticking point is Dallas wanting all the money up front while Steaua wanting to pay 1/2 now and 1/2 at year’s end.
http://www.walesonline.co.uk/f...ballnation/football-news/2008/
Highlights of that article include the MLS accepting a 2 million pound offer from Cardiff City for Coop (and saying they have not agreed personal terms) and also saying that after tonight’s game, Coop will be on a plane to Europe to check out both South Wales and Rosenborg.
Buzz? Have you heard anything?
Im a Romanian living in DFW…
Im an FCD fan.
Im also a life-long Steaua Fan..
I dont want Toja to go !! WHY?
HE IS NOT GOOD ENOUGH for STEAUA .!!
Steaua will play in Champions Lague this Year and they cant afford to have even more unexperienced players – by that I mean players that did not play in UEFA before –
Toja is GOOD ! -for Dallas but not for Europe..
Even if Toja was free I would not want him to leave because 1.Dallas needs him and 2. at Steaua he wont start
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