Red Bulls close in on Jorge Rojas

The New York Red Bulls are close to finalizing a deal for Venezuelan winger Jorge Rojas, a source with knowledge of the negotiations told SBI on Monday.

Various reports had a deal already being finalized between Rojas and the Red Bulls, but no deal has been completed yet.

If Rojas does reach a deal with the Red Bulls, he would not be able to join the team until July 15, when the MLS transfer window opened. MLS Communications confirmed on Monday that the MLS transfer window does not open until July 15.

Rojas, a Venezuelan national team veteran SBI first told you about in April, would give the Red Bulls some sorely needed attacking quality as well as versatility. A left winger by trade, Rojas can also play in an attacking midfield role, as well as left back if needed (though not likely at this point in his career).

Rojas, 31, is one of three players Red Bulls head coach Juan Carlos Osorio has targeted for the upcoming summer transfer window. Fellow Venezuelan Gabriel Cichero is another player with strong ties to the club. The Venezuelan national team defender could fulfill Osorio's lengthy search for a left-footed central defender.

What do you think of the possibility of Rojas joining the Red Bulls? Share your thoughts below.

Comments

[Trex]

Well it's pretty obvious we sorely need some help and he sounds great. But earlier when his name came up I thought he was asking for a pretty pricey contract?? Did RB cave or did he lower his asking price? Seeing that we haven't signed anyone else, you can't say that signing Rojas would prevent us from getting other players because there hasn't been any!

Maybe that's why Osorio is reconsidering, because he wasn't able to sign anyone else besides Boyens.

[JSquaredNY]

I'll take it. We need all the help we can get right now. The last two games have been extremely frustrating.

[Ives]

I don't think the Red Bulls will be breaking the bank with this signing. Everything I'm hearing is that it would fit in with two other signings, which means he can't be making max.

[JSquaredNY]

Any idea on how much cap room NYRB has available for the 3 targets?

[Jerry]

I seen this kid play on friday against Honduras he has some good ball skills however i would liked to see them go for someone younger like Cichero and secure him instead of an over priced 31 yr old winger that we already have cover for

[brett]

what's with the slew of teams this guy has been on?? every year or 2 he seems to have been traded?? does he have baggage or is he just not that spectacular?? i really dont know anything about him

[Tim F.]

........Altidore.......Angel

Van den Bergh....Rojas....Richards

........Stammler........Reyna

Goldthwaite.....Parke......Freeman

...............Conway

[Jeff]

I am guessing this means there is no truth to the rumors in the british press about the Red Bulls going after Kewell.

[Smith]

What if he came on a free transfer? Would he be able to join the club sooner?

[Trex]

Thanks Ives,
In that case, I'm all for it. And I'm sure they won't sign him to anything longer than a 2 yr deal so I'm not concerned with his age. We can definately use a spark and with all our injuries so far his versatility may be his most valuable asset to us.

[SonicDeathMonkey]

Jeff, you should know by now that "truth" and "British Press" are rarely ever mentioned in the same sentence. :)

[kpugs]

As Mr. Monkey just said, you might as well believe in the tooth fairy rather than believe anything at all in the British press.

Not to mention we already have one high priced midfielder who can't stay healthy. We definitely do not need Kewell to make it two.

As for Rojas...yippee--if he's good.

[David Berger]

Sign someone, anyone. This team needs a spark.

[Chris]

It's great news, but we gotta wait a month and a half to get him out there.

Ives - any updates on Jimenez??

[Mighty]

Jimenez Who?

[j1m]

Ives, don't mess with my emotions now.

[Eugene]

Oh thank God. If Osorio actually delivers on his pre-season promises, I might have to start believing in him again.

[Chris]

Maybe his price came down because now he'll only be playing half the season (possibly that'll make us able to afford him and the other targets now)? Is he allowed to practice with the team before July 15? How about Visa problems (which we always seem to have)?

[Branc]

Hey Ives, I'm sure we all hope it doesn't end up like it did back in April when you "first told us about it". Red Bulls need this guy but is he a winger or is he a defensive midfielder?

[Chow]

Any truth to the rumor that the Fire placed discovery claim before NY did?

[irishapple21]

I wonder if JCO is going to put Rojas in the D-Mid so he can move Reyna up to A-Mid. I don't know if Reyna can seriously handle that job, since most of his career has been spent as a holding midfielder rather than a playmaker. I'm interested in what else JCO is planning, because we still have glaring holes in our midfield and that's why our quality strike-team of Angel and Altidore never get any service.

[brett]

Chow- blame JCO and not the fire on that one...

[ALDONOVA]

Hope that does something and isn't injury prone like Rryna who has done nothing but rob the team of money since he got here.