Omar Cummings Training With Aston Villa, Could Turn Into Loan

A $3 million transfer fee also makes some sense for the Rapids, whose preference is obviously to keep Cummings. The Rapids would stand to get two-thirds of that - with the rest being distributed to the rest of the league. With $2 million, $650,000 of which could go to allocation money, the Rapids could afford a suitable replacement.

With Cummings already at Aston Villa and presumably sticking around for a couple of months, he should have plenty of time to showcase his talents. Even if Aston Villa deems Cummings an unnecessary luxury, if Cummings plays well he could attract other suitors.

While the Rapids obviously control Cummings rights, they have to be giving some serious thought to giving him a significant raise. His salary was reported as being about $80,000 last year, which is actually about $8,000 below the league average. They may be able to bar him from leaving, but keeping him happy would seem to be a much better tact.

The 28-year-old is heading into his fifth MLS season and has 28 goals and registered 19 assists in the past three. He is clearly one of the best players in MLS and it has longed seemed only a matter of time before European teams started to take notice.