The picture is beginning to clear regarding the Red Bulls’ potential pursuit of Ronald Vargas. Sources have repeatedly said the attacking midfielder favors a move to New York, but now reports out of South America are delineating why, saying his reasons are as much familial as they are professional.
Red Bulls coach Mike Petke acknowledged at least cursory dialogue regarding Vargas. According to Venezuelan reporter Daniel Prat, the midfielder’s sister lives in New Jersey, which is likely why Vargas views the Red Bulls as his favored destination if he leaves the Belgian team Anderlecht.
Vargas was a target of then-Red Bulls coach Juan Carlos Osorio back in 2008, but his price tag was far too high and cash-strapped Caracas sold him to Brugge. Anderlecht bought Vargas for 2.5 million euros in 2011, but after a string of injuries, the Belgian club has reportedly told him they won’t stand in the way of a move … for the right price.
Prat reported on Twitter that Anderlecht have asked for 3 million euros in return for Vargas, a sizeable transfer fee and potential stumbling block. The 27-year-old is out of contract June 30, and Anderlecht wants to either loan him out with an option to buy at the end the loan spell in June, or cash in on him while they can.
Meanwhile, the Red Bulls – both Petke and sporting director Andy Roxburgh – want to add a creative presence in their midfield. But Petke is understandably cautious about adding a classic No. 10 lacking in defensive capabilities after the poor fit with Brazilian veteran Juninho early last season.
“The one thing that everybody needs to realize that just because we say we’re looking to add a certain key or certain position, it doesn’t always work out. There’s a lot to take into consideration,’’ said Petke. “Again, I know… same thing over and over again. But the salary cap, what we have money to spend on. But you also have to realize that we accomplished something last year with a certain system.
“To bring in a player solely for a withdrawn (role) behind two strikers or creative attacking midfielder changes the way you play, so a lot of things go into it. In a perfect world, I would love to have the ideal playmaker at midfield, but you can’t just snap your fingers and get something.”
The Red Bulls also finalized a deal for Spanish defender Armando Lozano, pending the centerpack passing a physical and getting his P-1 visa.