OBETZ, Ohio—Amidst turmoil in Columbus, rumors are now swirling about Columbus Crew SC trading their star striker – and recently minted Designated Player – Kei Kamara.
Sports Illustrated’s Grant Wahl reported Tuesday that Crew SC was receiving offers for Kamara, which MLSSoccer.com later confirmed.
Hearing Columbus is trying to trade Kei Kamara pre-deadline, but it's hard to move DPs since so many teams have the maximum 3 DPs already.
Manager Gregg Berhalter admitted at Tuesday’s training session that there’s plenty of interest as Wednesday’s MLS trade deadline approaches.
“I won’t get into any specifics,” he said. “But there’s been teams that have reached out to us. I think that’s normal, given that type of story and that type of profile player and what impact he can have in this league.”
The “type of story” Berhalter referenced was Kamara blasting teammate Federico Higuain after the Argentinian playmaker took a penalty kick rather than allowing Kamara to go for his first career hat trick in Saturday’s 4-4 draw against Montreal.
Kamara responded by calling Higuain “selfish” and saying he doesn’t “depend on him for anything,” suggesting his No. 10 doesn’t provide him enough assists.
Berhalter said it makes sense for teams to call, given the situation, and acknowledged outside interest in both players.
“I’ve got a number of emails about both,” Berhalter said. “‘Hey, what’s up with this guy? What’s up with that guy?’”
Kamara, an MLS veteran of 10 seasons, is no stranger to being traded: Columbus, the San Jose Earthquakes and the Houston Dynamo have all dealt him before.
With that in mind, Kamara says the talk isn’t shocking.
“I’ve been traded in this league before – not once, not twice …” he said with a smile. “It doesn’t surprise me. But it’s just trade talks. I didn’t hear it from the coach this morning when I talked to him. But it’s news to me, too. I got in the locker room and saw my phone was blowing up.”
Higuain declined requests for an interview at training.
Kamara made it clear that he wasn’t happy with Higuain, and doesn’t have any plans to talk one-on-one with his teammate.
Despite his unhappiness in that regard, Kamara says he doesn’t want to leave Columbus:
“I came to this team to be part of this team and to help build something here. Coming in, my first-ever tweet was [about] the new Crew. Being part of the "New Crew" wasn’t just for one year. Signing the contract this year wasn’t just for [two] months … I was looking forward to a future, and that’s what I’m still looking forward to.”
When asked whether he plans to deal either Kamara or Higuain, Berhalter was non-committal.
“We’re doing everything we can to put this football club in a position to win games,” he said. “I think we’re doing everything to maintain who we are as a team, the identity of the team and the character of this group.”
The Crew SC boss said neither Kamara nor Higuain have a no-trade clause in their contract, also announcing Kamara's suspension for Saturday’s match against the Colorado Rapids (7:30pm ET; MLS LIVE).
When the trade deadline and Saturday’s suspension have passed, will Kamara still be in Columbus?
“Why not?” Berhalter asked. “He’s on the team now.”
