It was hoped that Osame Sahraoui could be the next big profile to leave Vålerenga, and a while ago a bid was made for Valle for a midfield gem.
Despite rumors of clubs in the Netherlands and Germany, it was Charlotte SC from America who pushed for Sahraoui.
After all, there must be a huge gap between what Charlotte has to offer and what Vålerenga wants.
This was confirmed by sports manager Joacim Jonsson to Dagbladet.
– It’s true that Charlotte is in for a real bargain. But that’s far from what it takes to get a player of Osame’s caliber, the outspoken sports manager told Dagbladet.
– I don’t think Charlotte is something to tease either Vålerenga, the player or his agent.
Dagbladet realized that the Major League Soccer (MLS) system in the United States was such that clubs put players on a “priority list”, i.e. which club “reserves” players they were trying to get.
Sahraoui is said to be at the top of the list for Charlotte, who is one of the newly established clubs in America’s top division. The club was founded in 2019, and is currently in its first season in the US.
From the club profile, we find former Leicester defenders Christian Fuchs and Harrison Afful, who was part of the Ghana World Cup squad in 2014.
Vålerenga’s clear “no” statement to Charlotte would also mean that other clubs that have listed Sahraoui on their “priority list” can now make progress.
Dagbladet knew that big club Los Angeles FC would be one of the clubs to have the Norwegian on their roster. It remains to be seen whether the club, which includes superstar Carlos Vela, will try.
– The system in the US is a bit like what you say here, says Jonsson.
– I’ve also noted that there has been talk of Los Angeles, but they haven’t come up with anything concrete. The only concrete thing we have to decide is Charlotte. And we have rejected them.
The US transit window closed Thursday evening. Thus, America, and Sahraoui, will have to wait until summer if the transition across the Atlantic is to materialize.
Dagbladet has been in contact with Osame Sahraoui’s agent, Mohammed Fellah. He did not want to comment on the case.
“Infuriatingly humble coffee guru. Travel practitioner. Freelance zombie fanatic. Certified problem solver. Food scholar. Student.”