It has been a long while but we are back with some new Whitecaps Transfer News! Hopefully this helps distract you fans away from the tough losses the team has endured as of late.
We are going back to Portugal but this time it’s not with one of the bigger clubs. The Whitecaps’ constant struggle to find a #10 could finally be coming to an end with the “Scottish Messi”. The Whitecaps are interested in signing Scottish midfielder Ryan Gauld, who is currently playing with SC Farense in Portugal, according to a report from AFTN Vancouver.
Got a Whitecaps transfer rumour for you! The 'Caps have apparently put in a bid to sign Scottish number 10 Ryan Gauld. Is currently with Portuguese side Farense. 3 year deal on the table paying him $3 million a year. Is said to be close but some other clubs also interested. #VWFC
— AFTN (@aftncanada) June 21, 2021
Gauld joined SC Farense on a two-year contract in 2019. He scored nine goals and added seven assists in 33 matches last season. He was one of the few bright spots in what was an otherwise disappointing season for relegated Farense. Gauld has grown his market value significantly since joining the club from $660,000 in 2019 to $5.5 million. The Aberdeen native earned praise as one of the top playmakers in Liga NOS.
99 – SC Farense’s Ryan Gauld has been involved in 99 shots in the Primeira Liga this season (49 shots, 50 chances created), the most of any player in the league. Influence. pic.twitter.com/dQhRxl7Dxr
— OptaJoao (@OptaJoao) March 17, 2021
According to Transfermarkt, Gauld’s transfer value is listed at $5.5 million. The rumored salary of $3 million per season would make Gauld the highest paid player in Whitecaps history. He would also be one of the top 10 highest paid players in Major League Soccer.
The 25-year-old Scottsman would be exactly the kind of offensive playmaking threat the Whitecaps have been looking for. A creative attacking midfielder that can score goals while also distributing and setting up his teammates. Even though he was not Schuster’s number one choice, he would still be an excellent addition to this otherwise creativeless team.
Gauld could be that missing link between the midfield and strikers. Our DP striker, Cavallini, hasn’t been able to work with a playmaking option underneath him since arriving. His production shows that. We all know Cavallini can be a great striker, he just needs the service to prove that.
The Whitecaps have yet to score a first half goal and are currently tied for the second worst goal difference. They sit second to bottom in the Western Conference at 2-6-1. The team needs something to turn it around. We are still early enough in the season but things need to change now. Hopefully the signing goes through and maybe we gain some hope.
The Whitecaps take on the league leaders and Cascadia rivals, the Seattle Sounders, tomorrow evening in Seattle. Kick off is at 6pm PT and you can watch on TSN 1 or ESPN+.
