Preston North End's pursuit of Revolution striker Taylor Twellman ended after Major League Soccer rejected a transfer deal worth more than $2 million yesterday.
"We upped our initial offer for Taylor Twellman to a guaranteed $2 million, with more based on incentives," Preston North End chairman Derek Shaw stated on the club's website. "However, we have had word back that the MLS are not looking to do business and not willing to accept our offer. The deal now looks dead in the water and we are looking to other targets."
Preston plays in the
Twellman, who is training with the US national team in Carson, Calif., said the deal would have been worth more than $2.5 million with incentives and Preston had offered an annual salary worth more than $1 million. Only three MLS transfers have been for more money: Clint Dempsey to Fulham ($4 million), Stern John to Nottingham Forest ($3.5 million), and goalkeeper Tim Howard to Manchester United ($3 million).
"My salary would have tripled what it is now," said Twellman, who has completed one year of a four-year contract worth $395,000 annually. "There has to be an adjustment and the fair thing to do would be either to sell me or adjust my pay accordingly."
Twellman has scored 101 goals since joining the Revolution in 2002, more than any MLS player and more than any US-born player in any first division league in the world.
"Something's got to give," Twellman said. "They made me sign a contract for the minimum salary [in 2002] and I've jumped through every hoop with a smile on my face. They said I hadn't scored for the national team, and now I've scored six goals, then they said I never received an international offer of any magnitude, and now I have that offer. Now, they can either re-sign me and make a long-term commitment to me, or they can make money off my sale and I'll be gone. They can't withhold me from making three times as much money as I make here."
Revolution director of soccer Mike Burns confirmed the deal was off.
Twellman has twice renegotiated contracts since signing for the league minimum $24,000 in 2002, a year ago receiving a four-year deal (three years guaranteed) worth $1.6 million. Twellman's salary is considered the league maximum (not including designated players), but players such as Kansas City's Eddie Johnson, who have received transfer offers, are earning more.
Striker Jose Angulo, a former star at St. Benedict's Preparatory School in Newark, will join the Revolution for training camp later this month. The Revolution claimed Angulo, who turns 20 tomorrow, as a discovery player. Angulo scored 32 goals as St. Benedict's went 20-0-0 in 2006-07.
