Rumor: Erik Palmer-Brown to Paris Saint Germain

Brian Sciaretta from American Soccer Now is reporting that Sporting Kansas City center back Erik Palmer-Brown is being linked to Paris Saint Germain.

Antero Henrique is the new Sporting Director at PSG after having previously held that same title at Porto FC in Portugal. You likely remember Porto as the club that Palmer-Brown went on loan to last season and even helped Porto B when a second division title.

This is hardly the first time EPB has been linked to a move abroad. Years ago he was linked to Italian giant Juventus, though that never came to pass. He obviously was on loan with Porto and there was talk they wanted to make the deal permanent but the numbers just didn’t work out.

This comes right after Peter Vermes had said it’s time for EPB to contribute at Sporting KC.

“Last year, he went to Portugal, now he’s back. He’s with the U-20s, now he’s back. So now that he’s back, he needs to get in a rhythm because these are now all opportunities in front of us with all the international play of guys [and the U.S. Open Cup games], he could be playing,” said Vermes. “It’s time for him to get back here and get into a rhythm with us and start making an impact.”

Right now Palmer-Brown could be the third center back on the depth chart behind Matt Besler and Ike Opara. He picked up an injury in the final U-20 World Cup game with the United States so he missed being in the 18 yesterday against Montreal. That allowed Kevin Ellis to get the start. The only other center back on the roster is recent Swope Park Rangers signing Amer Didic.

If Palmer-Brown were to head to France he would surely be further down on the depth chart than he is in KC. PSG has some of the best players in the world and EPB would no doubt learn a ton from them but he wouldn’t get minutes without going out on loan.

Probability: 25%

Even if Palmer-Brown doesn’t go to PSG he could very well end up being sold this summer or next. He is a young player with a lot of potential. Unless the return was very large, I’d rather see him start to get first team minutes with Sporting KC so he can be the center back of the future.

Besler is already 30-years-old and although Opara is only 28-years-old he seems much older with all the injuries he’s endured. If SKC don’t have EPB they’ll need someone else. I highly doubt that someone else is Kevin Ellis, though Amer Didic could have a bright future. Here is to hoping they keep Palmer-Brown and start to play him a lot more with all these international absences coming up.

[Update 06/12/17: Our site Manager, Thad Bell, spoke with Vermes today who had the following to say:

I’m not sure that answers anything. Just because PSG is “looking” doesn’t mean they’ve made calls. Still seems like there is a chance this is the last season for EPB in KC.]