Updated Rumor: More Details on Sporting KC’s Significant Offer for Israeli Midfielder

Update 4:29 PM CT: The linked story to YNet has since been changed from $4.1 million to $3.7 million (which matches the original source). The real issue remains, US Dollars or Shekels?

The Blue Testament’s Mike Kuhn located another, updated rumor on the Gadi Kinda to Sporting Kansas City rumor. If you haven’t seen the rumor, the original story is here. The fee was originally listed at $3.7 million US but there are concerns it’s a translation issue and the real number is much lower due to the Shekel to US Dollar conversion rate.

A story from today on YNet says Kinda has to come take “medical tests” which could be his physical. He’ll be flying to the United States next week. Obviously this is a common practice before signing a player. Of note, he was not in the lineup for the second consecutive game for his club Beitar Jerusalem F.C. They took on Maccabi Bnei Raina in the Israel State Cup today. Prior to that he played in 15 straight games. Most of them were starts.

The story also lists his fee in US dollars as $4.1 million and his annual salary at $600,000. If we believe it to be Shekels and not Dollars that’s approximately $1.2 million and $174k a year. A much more palatable number in the world of the MLS Salary Budget. It’s reported as a four year deal so the number wouldn’t even require Targeted Allocation Money to buy down. If the numbers are really in dollars then he’d be a Designated Player (or potentially a top of the budget TAM player).

From the highlight video’s of Kinda, he appears to have lots of traits that Peter Vermes would value. He’s fast, tenacious, tricky on the ball and he’s just generally explosive. I recommend viewing our original story for the video and other stats and details.

The Blue Testament will continue to update the Kinda to KC rumors (and all the other stories) as the start of preseason rapidly approaches on Sunday. Sporting KC also released the full preseason schedule for 2020 this week.