Brotherly Game Archive
Philadelphia Union Reportedly Submit Bid For Spanish Striker Kepa Blanco
Spanish news outlet Albiazules is reporting that the Philadelphia Union are among a group of MLS teams that have submitted bids to La Liga Adelante (second division) club Real Club Recreativo de Huelva for Kepa Blanco.
Blanco has had an up-and-down career in Spain, having impressed with Sevilla B, before being promoted to Sevilla's La Liga first team and scoring nine goals in 37 games. A move to fellow La Liga team Getafe proved to be a mistake for Blanco, as his form fizzled out and only twice was he able to find the net in 24 games. Getafe sold him after four seasons to Liga Adelante side Recreativo in 2010, where he has again only scored twice in 19 games.
Recently, the Union have been linked to both Nicolas Anelka and Josue Martinez, two other strikers apparently on their radar. Anelka has been all but ruled out due to what could be a salary as high as 10.6 million euros ($14.3 million). Martinez is still a possibility, as his reported transfer value has dropped from well over $1 million to between $400-500,000 in the last six months.
The Union, Los Angeles Galaxy and New York Red Bulls have all tabled a bid for Blanco, per Albiazules, and will be competing for the Spanish striker’s rights with a Ligue 1 team in France, though the identify of that French team is currently unknown.