TRANSFER TRACKER STATUS:Report
A report from Barcelona-based newspaper Sport indicates superstar forward David Villa would like to play for one more pro season, but that it likely won't be with New York City FC.
Villa, who will turn 37 in December, is out of contract following the season, with NYCFC unlikely to renew the Designated Player signing according to the report. For the first time during a four-year MLS tenure, Villa was hampered at times by injury in 2018, but still managed 14 league goals and five assists in 23 appearances (20 starts).
After Sunday's MLS Cup Playoff defeat to Atlanta United, coach Dome Torrent indicated it was too soon to discuss the future of the man known in Spain as El Guaje.
âI donât know. Itâs not the right time, believe me, because we are disappointed,â NYCFC coach Dome Torrent said after the match. âRight now itâs not the best moment to speak about that, about David, about the contract because [NYCFC sporting director] Claudio [Reyna] is ready to talk about that with the players in the next two or three days.â
Either way, he will be NYCFC's all-time leading scorer for some time, currently possessing 77 league goals. The second person on that list? Frank Lampard, who has 15.
âHeâs a legend. The club and the city can be thankful for a guy like him to have played in our team,â midfielder Alex Ring said. âI donât know what heâs decided. Heâll probably tell that himself. I hope he continues because heâs a flagpole for the club, for the league. Letâs not forget what heâs done in this league. Heâs had a couple of injuries this season. You shouldnât forget or sleep on that, but weâll see. These are things, I canât make him continue. We hope for the best and weâll see of course.â
âDavid is David. Heâs been tremendous for this club. Thereâs no doubt about that,â added goalkeeper Sean Johnson. âYou understand in this sport, especially when you donât achieve what you set out to that change is inevitable. Itâs just a part of the business. Obviously David has given us everything he has and itâs been tremendous for me to play with him over two seasons.â