In trying to keep hold of pivotal center-back Aaron Long, the New York Red Bulls have drawn the ire of the U.S. international's agent.
Long, who captured the Major League Soccer Defender of the Year award in 2018, has reportedly been the subject of interest from multiple European clubs during the summer transfer window. Jeff Carlisle of ESPN reports that an unnamed French side submitted a $4-million offer for the 26-year-old, which would equal the record sale for an MLS defender set in 2014 when Giancarlo Gonzalez left the Columbus Crew for Palermo.
But Long's agent, Shaun Higgins, told Carlisle that New York's sky-high valuation of his client is keeping interested clubs at bay.
"They told Aaron yesterday that he was worth $15 million, which is ridiculous," Higgins told Carlisle. "(The Red Bulls) say they're not going to sell Aaron unless they get $15 million.
"They don't think Aaron is good enough for RB Leipzig or Red Bull Salzburg. But the Red Bulls are saying even though he'll be 27 years old (in October), if a team really wants Aaron, they'll come in for him and that his value is similar to defenders in the Premier League."
Long, who started five of the United States' six matches at this summer's Gold Cup, signed a new contract with the Red Bulls in February that pays him $800,000.
Premier League side West Ham reportedly expressed interest in procuring his services last month, with Carlisle noting that multiple offers were made for the American, topping out at $3 million.
Should the Red Bulls decide to accept a bid for their star defender, they would receive three-quarters of any transfer fee, with the remaining cash going to MLS.
