Fabio Grosso In Second Meeting With The Philadelphia Union

by Scott Kessler on Aug 11, 2011 9:40 AM EDT in News

ROME, ITALY - MAY 02: Hernanes (L) of SS Lazio competes for the ball with Fabio Grosso of Juventus FC during the Serie A match between SS Lazio and Juventus FC at Stadio Olimpico on May 2, 2011 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)

Tutto Mercato Web, through its Juventus site Tutto Juve, is reporting that the Philadelphia Union are meeting with the Italian power's left back Fabio Grosso for a second time.

Grosso, who scored the winning penalty kick for Italy against France in the 2006 World Cup Final, rejected the Union's first offer while Juventus was in Philadelphia as part of their 2011 USA tour. The 33-year-old is reportedly in a fight with Juventus over his contract, which runs out after this upcoming season, leading to multiple bids for his signature. Villarreal, of Spain's La Liga, are also on Grosso's tail.

The Union supposedly met Juventus' asking price for a transfer fee last week, but then word out of Italy was that Grosso did not like the personal terms nor did he wish to come to America to play.

The former Italian national will most certainly demand at least a million dollars in yearly salary, as his contract with Juventus still pays Grosso at least $1.5 million dollars this year.

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Not liking the personal terms? Not wanting to play in America? Why pursue him then? Sounds like the Union might be the best (read, only) option for a guy “left out” of Juve’s plans, but his salary demands would put him as a DP, and Nowak & Co. have stated they don’t want to sign a DP unless he is not coming here to take it easy and collect a paycheck. Maybe they’ve changed their collective mind …

by AD22 on Aug 11, 2011 10:38 AM EDT reply actions

I asked for them to spend the money, and it seems like this move would certainly be spending it. From what I’ve read about him, he seems to fill two needs (a true LB and a dead ball specialist), so I can get behind this.

by duckyninja on Aug 11, 2011 11:09 AM EDT reply actions

Obviously I know nothing of the details surrounding these negotiations/meetings… but its also possible that Grosso’s agent is using MLS and Philadelphia to drive the price up on Juve, without having any real intention of coming here. The guy sounded extremely disinterested the 1st time, I don’t know what a 2nd meeting would magically fix..

by Domin8ing the Big Ten(11) on Aug 11, 2011 11:24 AM EDT reply actions

Tweeted by Dave Zeitlin a minute ago:

“Fabio Grosso will not be coming to Philly. But at least one other signing will likely be announced tomorrow, per Nowak’s presser.”

by mk_27 on Aug 11, 2011 1:43 PM EDT reply actions

The anticipation is killing me already.

/totally expect it to be someone we’ve never heard of

Contributor at The Brotherly Game, SBN's Philadelphia Union blog

by Ben Feldman on Aug 11, 2011 1:49 PM EDT up reply actions

When asked if he had found his man, Nowak said, “Maybe not only one.”

Alright, nevermind then. When Nowak’s being trite, get the hell out of dodge. If Nowak’s being smug, though, maybe it is worth getting your hopes up, kind of like with Ruben.

Contributor at The Brotherly Game, SBN's Philadelphia Union blog

by Ben Feldman on Aug 11, 2011 2:08 PM EDT up reply actions