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"Manchester United Pursuing MetroStars Goalkeeper
By JACK BELL
Manchester United, one of the world's most prestigious soccer clubs, is negotiating with Major League Soccer officials to sign Tim Howard, the MetroStars' goalkeeper.
Officials with Manchester United and M.L.S., as well as Howard's representatives, were reluctant to comment on the possible deal. But according to a report yesterday on The Daily Mirror of London's Web site, United has made an initial offer of $2 million for Howard, 24, who was scouted by United's goalkeepers coach, Paul Barron, when the United States played Mexico this month in Houston.
Major League Soccer owns all player contracts and had recently signed Howard, a native of North Brunswick, N.J., to a contract extension that pays him the league maximum of $270,000 a season.
A deal could be completed within days or perhaps a week, said people familiar with the negotiations.
United, which won the English Premier League last year, has become disenchanted with its current first-team goalkeeper, the French international Fabien Barthez, and has little confidence in his backup, the Spanish keeper Ricardo. Although Howard could cost United a transfer fee of several million dollars, he would still be less expensive than the Turkish international Rustu Recber, who plays for Fenerbahce.
Howard is among a number of goalkeepers linked with United by English newspapers. That list includes the American international Brad Friedel, the top keeper in the English Premier League last season; Recber; and Paul Robinson of Leeds United. If Howard signs, he could join Friedel and Kasey Keller, who plays for Tottenham, as starters in the E.P.L.
At 6 feet 3 inches and 201 pounds, the athletic Howard would be a perfect fit for a club that plays in a league long noted for peppering the middle of the field with crosses from the flanks. Howard has often spoken about his preference for playing in England and how well suited he is for that style of play. The only stumbling block could be the need for Howard to obtain a work permit from the British government. Howard holds a Hungarian passport because his mother was born in Hungary, which means he could play in Europe without a work permit when Hungary joins the European Union next year.
Ivan Gazidis, the deputy commissioner of M.L.S., refused to confirm or deny the negotiations with Manchester United. "We get calls about players all the time," he said. Howard's agent, Dan Segal, would also not comment.
If he is transferred to Manchester United, Howard will join another young American, the under-17 national team defender Jonathan Spector, who signed with the club several months ago. United's pursuit of Howard is a further indication that the United States is developing world-class players.
United, with its coming tour and year-old marketing arrangement with YankeeNets, is committed to expanding its presence in the United States.
Shedding Howard's contract would allow the MetroStars, who are currently in first place in the Eastern Conference of M.L.S., to bring its payroll substantially under the league's salary cap.
If an agreement is reached, Howard will probably join the club in late June or early July. The M.L.S. regular season does not end until late October." |