Krisztian Nemeth claims Qatar move isn't about money
Krisztian Nemeth claims he would have stayed with MLS side Sporting Kansas City for one-third of the contract offered by new club Al-Gharafa.
Hungary forward Nemeth completed his move to Qatar on Friday after a protracted contractual wrangle with Sporting Kansas City during the winter. Al-Gharafa paid $3 million for Nemeth's services, according to FOX Sports contributor and Sports Illustrated reporter Grant Wahl.
In the wake of the move, Nemeth explained the reasons behind it in a lengthy note on Facebook. He noted his desire for a new contract from Sporting KC after he scored 10 goals in 28 matches last season and professed his desire to stay at the club. He also revealed he discussed the situation with Hungary coach Bernd Storck before completing his move.
The former Liverpool player featured prominently in Sporting KC's run to the playoffs, but he also faced a rather complex set of circumstances as he campaigned for a new contract.
Sporting KC wanted to retain Nemeth, but the circumstance eventually prompted a sale instead. Nemeth's transfer fee generates $650,000 in allocation money for use elsewhere in the squad. Those additional funds are useful given the additions of Nuno Andre Coelho, Brad Davis and Justin Mapp, plus the retention of Soni Mustivar and the need for further reinforcements up front. Nemeth's impending obligations with Hungary -- he is expected to miss a sizeable chunk of the MLS season with Euro 2016 commitments -- raises questions about the value of increasing his salary and reducing salary budget flexibility.
Al-Gharafa offered a viable escape route for everyone involved. Nemeth reaped the benefits of his great season without submarining his Euro 2016 hopes. Sporting KC planned for the future by generating a sizeable transfer fee and sidestepped the implications of improving a contract for a player with reduced availability this offseason. And Al-Gharafa landed a player capable of scoring plenty of goals and strengthening their quest to move out of mid-table.
Read Nemeth's full post on his official Facebook account here:
Thank you all for your patience over the past few days! I know that my transfer was a surprise, and I made many of you...
Posted by Krisztián Németh official on Monday, February 1, 2016
