Union’s Julian Carranza has his focus set on Philadelphia, but for how much longer?

With players set to report to pre-season training next week, there are still a few questions regarding Union’s roster heading into the 2024 campaign that needs answering. Union have their hole at Left Back sorted following the announcement of Kai Wagner’s re-signing on Thursday, which brings the next big question for Union fans to the surface: What’s the plan with Julián Carranza?

Carranza reportedly rejected European interest in past, hopeful for Summer move

On Thursday morning just before 10 am EST, Lizzy Becherano of 90min Football reported that she had spoken with Julián Carranza, presumably at MLS Media Day In Miami, and he had confirmed that he “received interest from European clubs back in August & December but declined”. Becherano added a bit more context to the conversation, saying that Carranza was hopeful to “make a big career move in July”, which would keep Carranza in Philadelphia for the time being.

Philadelphia Union’s Julian Carranza just confirmed to me he received interest from European clubs back in August & December but declined, added “I hope to make a big career move in July”
— Lizzy Becherano (@lizzy_becherano) January 11, 2024

Becherano’s report does check out after Nico Cantor of CBS Sports reported that Philadelphia had received and rejected a €7M (plus bonuses and sell-on fee) offer from Greek giants Olympiacos, which many feel would be too small for Carranza given what other MLS players’ transfer fees to Europe have been.

Philadelphia Union REJECTED a record offer from Olympiacos for Julián Carranza.

With Greek transfer window still open, Union received a proposal for €7M (plus bonuses and sell on fee) making it Philly’s most expensive sale ever up front.

Carranza’s contract expires Dec ‘24 pic.twitter.com/hJP9Ir48ac
— Nico Cantor (@Nicocantor1) September 5, 2023

Starting XI looks better than it seemed yesterday

So Union fans get the re-signing of the best Left Back in the league – no matter how controversial the signing may be – and word that their star striker is hanging around until at least the Summer Transfer window on the same day, and things aren’t looking so bad: Union keeps one of the best backlines in MLS intact, and Julián Carranza will be here through the first half the season, giving Union the best opportunity to compete in CCC and MLS congruently, and allowing Tai Baribo time to get up to speed with his new club before Carranza’s departure. But what if that’s not the entire story?

Carranza set to stay til Summer? Well, not exactly…

Also at MLS Media Day, was Philadelphia Inquirer‘s own, Jonathan Tannenwald. Tannenwald also spoke with Carranza on the matter and reported that while Carranza has received offers that have been rejected in the past, Carranza did reveal that multiple teams are currently circling the waters for the Argentina striker ahead of the 2024 season – though he wouldn’t say which ones – and that Carranza is still hopeful for a move this Winter.

It makes sense that Carranza would be hopeful for a move this Winter before the European transfer window closes on February 1st(for most Leagues). Even though teams abroad are far more likely to spend in Summer during the off-season – the opposite of the MLS Schedule – Carranza knows that the closer his current contract with Philadelphia gets to expiring, the more his price tag continues to drop, with teams able to sign him from free-agency after 12/31/2024.

Future goals are clear, when’s the right time to let him go?

Carranza’s career goals are no secret. Like many, he’s dreamed of gradually climbing the totem pole to Europe‘s biggest leagues and eventually landed a spot on the Argentina National team, which he spoke about in an interview with AAT Sports Network’s Joses Nuñez.

I think there are a few potential outcomes for Carranza based on this report:

1. Carranza signs a new contract extending beyond this year, as his current deal ends on 12/31/24 (I find this to be unlikely).

2. Carranza could let the contract extension he is on (ends on 12/31/24)… https://t.co/aOEjSLkeNf pic.twitter.com/rGz5ivytFP
— José Roberto Nuñez (@JoserNunez91) January 12, 2024

I’m sure Union would love to cash in on Carranza before seeing him walk to free agency too, but will Philadelphia take less than the reported €7M they rejected from Olympiacos last season? How low is too low for Union to go to swerve the same situation they were in last season with Kai Wagner? Do you risk upsetting a player who’s been one of your best over the last two seasons by not granting him a move he wants if the money isn’t there? Surely Philly won’t get lucky two years in a row. Not to jump too far ahead, but he’s not the only one in Union’s squad whose contract is winding down in 2024.

Dreams aside, Carranza focused on starting strong with Union in 2024

But despite his aspirations for an eventual move away from Philadelphia and onto something bigger, Carranza told Jonathan Tannenwald in their conversation that he’s remaining focused on pre-season, starting the season the right way, and contributing for Philly for the rest of his time here, however long that might be. For Union fans, that’s the most important news to hear.