VANCOUVER, B.C. - WIt's a done deal, except it's not. Vancouver Whitecaps FC 17 year-old phenom, Alphonso Davies is expected to be transferred to Bundesliga club FC Bayern Munich at any moment. Multiple reports suggest that Davies will be sold for an MLS record $15 million dollars with potential bonuses pushing the transfer to $20 million.
Asked to shed any light on the Davies transfer rumours, Coach Carl Robinson was tight-lipped.
"Nope, I can't. I think it's close to getting done by all reports I read from you guys, and ladies. As soon as I know, I'll let you know."
The wonder-kid that's racked up 3 goals and 8 assists in 20 games this season could potentially remain, and play with Whitecaps FC for the remainder of the 2018 season.
Once the Caps campaign is over, Davies would join Bayern Munich following his 18th birthday on November 2. It's a win, win scenario for Davies, Whitecaps FC and Bayern.
Davies was not at Whitecaps FC training on Tuesday morning. His whereabouts have been speculated upon. Bayern Munich are currently in Philadelphia as part of a pre-season tour in the U.S. - It's not out of the ordinary to think Davies has flown to the city of brotherly love to complete the medical portion of what would be a MLS record transfer move.
"He's in talks with them." Robinson said, when pressed by RedNation Online. "Again, they've been on-going for a number of days. I know you saw him here yesterday (Monday). In the afternoon he went to talk with them again. It's a big decision for the boy and his family. It's important that you realize that. It's not something that happens over night."
The Edmonton-raised Davies, will have an opportunity to soar and put himself, Whitecaps FC, and Canada Soccer on the next level. "The Boy" will have access to the best, coaches, teammates, and football facilities money can buy. Football is life and death in Europe. Davies is going to see his name in the papers and on social media everyday. He is going to have to be immensely mentally strong. As much as Canadians eat, breath, and sleep hockey, that's exactly what football culture is like in Germany, and Europe.
"If you ask every player, they want to go and play at the highest level," said Robinson. "They want to play in the best leagues in the world. I think that's pretty simple. People will say he's ready, or not ready. He probably won't understand whether he's ready or not, until he goes there."
The potential transfer had the Caps gaffer reminiscing about another Canadian who hopped across the pond at 16 years-old to join Bayern Munich. In July of 1997, Owen Hargreaves was thought of as a prodigy that would lead Canada for decades. It didn't exactly work out because Hargreaves turned his back on Canada to represent England.
"I remember a young Owen Hargreaves followed that same path," Robinson recalled. "Look how he turned out. He didn't play for Canada, which was unfortunate. You can't stop players from going and playing for one of the biggest clubs in the world. That's not the right thing to do, and we don't do that as a club. I will never stop any player from going and playing at the next level."
The Champions League, Europa League, and World Cup. That's what players grow up dreaming about. The Amway Canadian Championship, CONCACAF Championship League, and MLS Cup, that's not a dream that keeps players awake at night. That's not what gets their engine going. European football is where the big bright football lights are.
Alphonso Davies is never going to meet his potential, and surpass it if he remains in Vancouver or in MLS. He needs to challenge himself, and find a club that will provide the best chance for his growth and development as footballer. Bayern Munich are that club.
"Bayern Munich are one of the biggest clubs in the world." Robinson explained. "The expectations rise, and the media rises, and the pressure rises. Until you're in it, you actually won't realize what it's like. Preparing him for that was really important. Hopefully he's not a fish out of water. The football side of it, he's ready. He's ready to go and develop."
The exact "Fine Lines" of the Davies transfer are still to be confirmed. Vancouver will likely ask for a percentage of any future sale of Davies. If Bayern move him to another club, a sell on clause could go as high as 15%. There could also be performance based bonuses for goals, assists, games played, minutes, and trophies won. If Davies plays in European club football competitions, that could bring in more bonus money for Whitecaps FC.
"Right now he just has to pay his team fines." Kamara joked. "He's been fined a few times, and hopefully he doesn't leave us without paying his fines."
Caps skipper, Kendall Waston was thought of as a potential transfer target after his impressive showing at the World Cup with Costa Rica. While that talk has died down, Waston is thrilled to see that Davies will have an opportunity to take his career to new heights.
"I can't imagine Alphonso's head right now... he will be in the clouds." Waston said. "17 years-old, being signed by a huge club. What a nice dream. I'm very happy for him. Hopefully this deal can be done. Everybody is going to be excited for him, and his family. That is a great accomplishment for him and his career."
If Whitecaps FC fans want to see Alphonso Davies tearing up B.C. Place and opposition defenders. They've got 7 MLS home matches to turn up, and wish him all the best. Davies is going, going, going places, and Whitecaps FC will reap rewards for years to comhig.
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