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The Whitecaps desperately needed a goal scorer, and the Columbus Crew were having some difficulty with their star striker. At its most basic, a potential deal between the two clubs didn't sound so far fetched when rumors broke Wednesday night that Kei Kamara could be making his way to Vancouver, in exchange for Octavio Rivero.
Sources have confirmed that Whitecaps and Crew have finalized deal sending Kei Kamara to Vancouver for Octavio Rivero & allocation $ WOW
— Ives Galarcep (@SoccerByIves) May 12, 2016
Multiple sources were reporting the rumor, and it seemed like a done deal that Kamara was on his way. For Whitecaps fans, the deal seemed too good to be true. The Whitecaps were unloading a talented, yet unproven striker that had struggled to score goals for the majority of his time as a Whitecap. In exchange, they were getting a guy that scored 22 goals last year, and despite attitude issues, was considered one of the brightest stars in the league. As fans sat waiting for the Whitecaps to confirm the news, further reports threw plenty of rain on their parade.
Latest I'm told on Kamara-Rivero is it is NOT happening. Unclear what went down just before deadline but players HAD been informed of deal
— Ives Galarcep (@SoccerByIves) May 12, 2016
The dream officially died the next morning, when Karama was officially shipped off to the New England Revolution. So, how close was this deal to getting done? It's hard to say, considering the Whitecaps never officially acknowledged the rumors. Also, consider what the Rev's gave up to land Kamara.
- General Allocation Money,
- Targeted Allocation Money,
- New England's highest First Round MLS SuperDraft pick in 2017,
- New England's highest Second Round MLS SuperDraft pick in 2018
- One of New England's international roster spots for the 2016 season.
- Additionally, Crew SC will retain a percentage of any future transfer fee for Kamara should he be transferred to a club outside of MLS.
#WhitecapsFC Robbo on Rivero / Kamara. "What was given up by New England, shows that we weren't in a position even if we wanted to do it."
— Har Journalist (@HarJournalist) May 12, 2016
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