Day two of the European transfer window, and the rumors are at a fever pitch.
Our man Deuce is now the subject of rampant speculation, with Dempsey linked to Everton in the English rags.
But wait, there's more. While Everton is the favorites according to the Sun, other clubs are in the mix as well. Dempsey's agent says that English, French, German and Spanish clubs have inquired about the American's services.
All of this comes directly after Clint himself said that he wants to stay with Fulham. But he only has one year left on his contract, and while I don't believe that he has "rejected" a new one (The Sun's choice of words), it is telling that he has yet to sign a new one.
It's quite a list (even though we don't know which clubs are involved other than the Toffees), and it speaks to Dempsey's strong season at Fulham and his impressive showing at the Confederations Cup. While many of us were just a little critical of Clint during the tournament because he seemed to disappear at time, he did win the Bronze Ball as the third best player in the tournament. Clubs have certainly taken notice. Dempsey is an excellent player, and one some might even called the best of the Americans; a move to a bigger club on a bigger contract is well-deserved.
The question is whether it serves Dempsey to move. Many I talk to would rather see him stay a Fulham, where he has steadily improved over his time there. After Roy Hodgson took over at Craven Cottage, it took some time for Dempsey to work his way into the manager's good graces and into the regular first eleven; but he's done so, and excelled in the process.
I'm torn here, because I think that Dempsey has done so well and grown so much at Fulham and under Hodgson that a move might be a bad thing. On the other hand, the more Americans move up the food chain and break down the belief that Yanks can't play, the better. Everton is a bigger club than Fulham, plain and simple; playing for the Toffees, who might push for a Champions League spot, would certainly raise Dempsey's profile at the least.
What do you think? If any of these rumors are true (and take them with a grain of salt, naturally), would you rather see Clint stay at Fulham, or move on to Everton or one of the other leagues rumored?
