The Red Bulls appear set to move on from Rafa Marquez, with reports claiming he’s on his way to Club Leon.
The Mexico captain has become an unpopular pariah among many fans for his bloated salary, frequent injuries and ill-timed suspensions. He’s played just 36 of 73 possible games, and is MLS’ second-highest paid player at $4.6 million.
The web site Criterio Hidalgo was the first to break the news, saying “According to various reports, negotiations between Leon and Rafael Marquez are very advanced.’’ Then ESPN Deportes followed up with “The negotiations are going well. The only thing left are the details.’’
Emails to Marquez’ agent Jorge Mendes — the head of GestiFute — have not been answered, while the Red Bulls have not commented; but that silence is both telling and deafening. If he moves on, it would open a Designated Player spot that could be used on Juninho or perhaps even Real Madrid’s Kaka.