Rumor: Sporting KC have Bid for Monaco Winger Refused

The rumor mill should be kicking into higher gear with the MLS season potentially starting in March (though it could be as late as May if it starts at all). A report from RMC Sport has Sporting Kansas City trying to acquire 24-year-old AS Monaco winger, Samuel Grandsir. However, the report is that Grandsir isn’t interested in coming to the United States and prefers to stay in Europe.

The story goes on to say that AS Monaco aren’t opposed to Grandsir leaving, though it would likely be a loan. He is also linked to Turkey and that could be his destination. The winger, who primarily lines up on the right where Johnny Russell plays, has been a regular contributor for Monaco. He has three goals and one assist across 24 appearances this season (1,500 minutes) in Ligue 1. He added two goals in just two starts in the Coupe de la Ligue, though that was against lower division clubs.

Daniel Sperry is reporting that he has some sort of connection with new SKC signing Remi Walter, who just got out of a deal with a Turkish club that wasn’t paying his wages. He joked, maybe Walter can talk him out of going to Turkey.

Just For Fun - Where Does He Fit?

As mentioned above, he primarily plays on the right wing, but he can play left wing, striker and wide midfielder too. Obviously Sporting KC have a hole on the left side of the field with Gerso Fernandes reportedly turning down an offer to return in 2021. The team currently has just four wingers under contract, the aforementioned Russell, Khiry Shelton (who also is the backup CF), Daniel Salloi and Tyler Freeman (zero career appearances). It’s possible SKC see Gianluca Busio as a winger too, as he lined up there a few times in 2020.

Game tape shows he is blazing fast though he doesn’t seem to have a killer instinct in front of goal. Maybe Sporting were trying to replace Gerso with a younger player that fits the same profile but potentially has a greater upside.

Regardless, it appears Grandsir isn’t interested in coming, even if Monaco are interested in loaning him out somewhere.

Gregersen Rumor Dead Too

In a bit more bad news, Sporting KC’s reported second bid for Norwegian center back Stian Gregersen from Molde appears to be dead. Not because his club has turned it down, but because Gregersen also wants to go to another team in Europe. As someone who just broke into the Norway National Team, it’s not surprising as it’s a much shorter trip to be on the continent already.

MLS is very unlikely to start “on time,” but with many of the European transfer windows closing, options may become somewhat limited. Teams can still sell players beyond the window, they just can’t sign replacements.