Michael Thurk Reportedly Deciding Between The Philadelphia Union, Vancouver Whitecaps And Four 2. Bundesliga Teams
by Scott Kessler on Dec 6, 2011 10:48 AM EST
in Offseason Content
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PrintThe Philadelphia Union have been linked to Michael Thurk again, this time with the team being listed as one of the German's two front runners for his services. Thurk's agent, Klaus Gerster, said that Thurk will make a decision this week, with both the Union and fellow MLS team the Vancouver Whitecaps as the forward's favored destinations. Salary demands are the only hurdle to overcome, according to Gerster.
Thurk has sought a way out of Augsburg FC since being suspended from the club in August, when he refused to accept a transfer out of the squad. Despite leading Augsburg in scoring last year, and helping the team to a promotion to the Bundesliga top flight, Thurk was seen as a surplus to the requirements of the club. The withdrawn forward has yet to see any official play this year, which at 35-years-old may hamper a transition to American, even if Thurk want to end his career in MLS.
In addition to Thurk, the Union are reportedly pursuing Costa Rican international forward Josue Martinez, of Deportivo Saprissa, Spanish striker Kepa Blanco, of Recreativo de Huelva and Nicolas Anelka, a French international striker who had his transfer request accepted by Chelsea in England.
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Target forward?
If the U aquire both Thurk and Martinez, does Nowak opt for 2 strikers with Thurk as his target and Matinez in the hole? This would send Letoux back to midfield unless Nowak went with a 4-3-3- and maybe moved Letoux and Martinez to the wings? I’ve never seen him play, but I’m assuming that Thurk is more of a target fwd because his club had no use for him once they moved to a 4-2-3-1. Maybe he needs that 2nd fwd to link up with to be effective, kind of in the vein of el pescadito.
Thurk is that second forward.
He’s a withdrawn striker, similar to what Martinez is as well.
Managing Editor for Brotherly Game, SBNation's Philadelphia Union blog and contributor for SBN Philly. // @scottdkessler
"College is only 4 years, but the Eagles are for life." - Ironhank
by Scott Kessler on Dec 6, 2011 3:17 PM EST up reply actions
I Don't Get It...
If we are signing Martinez, I think we’re going to be overstocked with forwards. A Martinez/Thurk combo would keep a very high priced (since graduating from GA) Mwanga off the field and I’d imagine Jack McInerney wouldn’t even get a sniff if they leave Le Toux at striker (where he’s said he wants to be). I think Le Toux is less effective in the mid-field, and that would also make a crowded mid-field even more crowded. If you do drop Le Toux, where do you put him? He wouldnt get many scoring opportunities on the wing, and if you put him in the middle that squeezes Paunovic out… I could see signing Martinez OR Thurk, but not both and especially not if they’re both coming with high price tags attached. Any word on rumors regarding defensemen? Kudos to Gabe Farfan for a valiant effort at a position he doesn’t play, but he’s not a long-term answer at the LB spot.
by Domin8ing the Big Ten(11) on Dec 6, 2011 1:19 PM EST reply actions
I agree, signing both strikers is not likely at all.
Most likely using one as leverage for the other deal.
Managing Editor for Brotherly Game, SBNation's Philadelphia Union blog and contributor for SBN Philly. // @scottdkessler
"College is only 4 years, but the Eagles are for life." - Ironhank
by Scott Kessler on Dec 6, 2011 3:52 PM EST up reply actions
Maybe...
Maybe they are just trying to drive down the price of one of the strikers they are looking at? I don’t really see any point in them signing both Thurk and Martinez. Like it has been said before that would push the young talent down further on the bench and possibly even push Le Toux back into the midfield where he has been much less effective.
I think your first thought is a reasonable one.
The more smoke there is, the more likely there is fire, but where that fire is located is the question in this situation.
Managing Editor for Brotherly Game, SBNation's Philadelphia Union blog and contributor for SBN Philly. // @scottdkessler
"College is only 4 years, but the Eagles are for life." - Ironhank
by Scott Kessler on Dec 6, 2011 3:19 PM EST up reply actions
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