The writing has been on the wall for several months, but DC United has officially declined to pick up Charlie Davies' loan option. It would have cost United and MLS about $1.3 million to make Davies' loan from FC Sochaux permanent. This does not necessarily mean Davies' days in MLS, or even with United, are done. The league could still negotiate another loan deal that could keep him here for the immediate future.
DC United Allows Charlie Davies’ Loan Deal To Expire, Could Renegotiate
Charlie Davies could still end up playing in MLS, but United has passed on the option to make his loan deal permanent.
“D.C. United is not exercising its December 1 option to secure the permanent transfer of Charlie Davies,” United General Manager Dave Kasper said in a statement. “Conversations regarding Charlie’s future are ongoing.”
Davies started strong for United, scoring 11 goals in his first 20 games. But after scoring a hat trick against Chivas USA on Sept 10, he failed to score again and actually found himself on the bench for 3 of United's final four games.
Still, United protected him in the Expansion Draft, which implies they see some value in him. Assuming a loan extension can be worked out, there would seem to be plenty of teams that could use his services.
For more on Davies’, be sure to check out United blog Black and Red United.
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