Fabrizio Romano and Tom Bogert of the Athletic both reported that Dutch club Feyenoord is finalizing a deal for Union forward Julian Carranza this summer. Reports surfaced about Carranza to Feyenoord a few weeks back, but those reports seemed to indicate the move would be when Carranza was out of contract in the coming winter. It seems Carranza and Feyenoord have agreed to terms, and the Dutch side is now in talks with Philadelphia about completing the move in the summer transfer window.
Have we seen the last of Julian Carranza in a Union shirt?
We all knew that Carranza’s time in Philly was numbered. European suiters have been calling for his services since the end of 2022. Clubs like England’s Ipswitch Town, and Germany’s Mainz, and Werder Bremen were in on him before Feyenoord, but it seems like the Dutch side is going to win the race for his signature. Philly head coach Jim Curtin did say he hoped that Philly would be in that race too but noted he wouldn’t block a player who dreamed of playing in Europe from chasing that dream.
Since Carranza joined Philly back in the winter of 2021 he has been the club’s top striker. 43 goals and 20 assists in 95 career appearances make Julian Carranza a Union legend. his absence from the team will be felt until a proper replacement can be brought in. Rumor has it that Carranza will be out for this Saturday’s match vs Miami, as he is likely finalizing this move. With his absence and the absence of others still with their national teams, Philly will have to stretch their roster.
Change is Coming to the Philadelphia Union
As The Union now turn their sights back to MLS play, they will have to do it without their most consistent striker. With the July-Summer transfer window on the horizon, Philly sporting director Ernst Tanner will need to find those diamonds in the rough, and maybe Jay Sugarman will open the pocketbook up for reinforcements.
No matter what happens, we are about to witness the first domino falling that will usher in major change at the club for the first time in a few years. There is going to need to be a rebuild of this Union team should they want to stay competitive in MLS. Reinvestment in first-team players will be needed sooner rather than later. Right now fans will have to wait and see how the club responds to these changes that will be forced upon them.
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