Rumour: USA right-back DeAndre Yedlin to sign for AS Roma

DeAndre Yedlin

United States of America elimination from the 2014 World Cup in the Round of 16 has one silver lining as their right back DeAndre Yedlin is reported to have agreed a deal to a move to Italian giants AS Roma.

Many of the USA squad members returned to a hero’s welcome while some were left contemplating a brighter future ahead away from the MLS. Yedlin was one of them.

Seattle’s very own DeAndre Yedlin, a standout player for the Americans whenever he came on as a substitute has attracted interests from many clubs for his performance in the right-back position. AS Roma are reported to be in prime position to close out a deal this summer for the 20-year old.

Roma one of the biggest clubs in Italy is owned by an American and one of its directors is from Seattle. Yedlin was first noticed when the Italians played against the MLS All-Star game which he featured in last summer.

Reports in the English media suggested that Yedlin was scheduled for try-outs for Liverpool but Italian newspaper Gazetta dello Sport published that the Yedlin deal is almost done and the fee is agreed to be around 8 million.

The young right-back would see out the MLS season and will be loaned out to Genoa before appearing for the Roma senior team. At Genoa, he would be seeing enough game-time to fulfill work-permit formalities and also be developed to play for AS Roma subsequently.

The deal if completed would be a win-win for both sides, US players however good or even with a hiked fee after the World Cup come relatively cheap for the European clubs compared to the South American players.

On the other hand, the MLS structure complies such fees would directly to the League but a proportion of it is allowed to the club which is enough to strengthen the squad or balance the salary cap.