Football
ESPN staff 10y

Report: Besler prefers Sporting KC

Sporting Kansas City captain Matt Besler has said he would prefer to remain in Kansas City and the club has no intention of selling the U.S. national team defender unless the transfer fee is significant, according to sources.

- Transfer Talk

A source told ESPN FC's Doug McIntyre that Kansas City would only consider a transfer if the fee was worth it, and on Thursday, Sunderland denied making any bid for Besler, who is in the final year of his current contract.

Besler had previously expressed interest in playing overseas but has now said he would rather sign a long-term deal with Kansas City, a source told the Kansas City Star.

Eddie Rock, Besler's agent, said the 27-year-old has not yet given up on the idea of playing overseas, although he told the Kansas City Star that talks with Sporting KC have reached "an advanced stage" as the two sides look to reach an agreement on a new deal.

Sporting Club CEO Robb Heineman, told the Star on Thursday: "We've always had a strong sense that we want to have Matt back. Now we're getting a strong sense that he wants to be back."

"We're making progress," Heineman told the newspaper. "Would I say we're right on the verge of getting something done? No. But discussions are good. And that's a positive thing."

Heineman told the newspaper the club is also in talks with U.S. midfielder Graham Zusi, who signed a four-year extension with Sporting KC in June 2013.

"Things are going equally well with Zusi," Heineman said. "We're working in earnest on that, too. We're making progress there, too."

Besler will earn $200,000 this season with the club, and, according to the newspaper, is seeking a contract worth less than $1 million annually, the source said.

Sporting KC hosts the LA Galaxy at 6 p.m. ET on Saturday at Sporting Park.

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