This article sums up the options, I think, quite well - http://thebiglead.com/index.php/2012/03/13/soccer-mailbag-will-the-u-s-compete-for-a-world-cup-will-dempsey-leave-fulham/ What I think it misses is the potential interest from Europe - Paris St Germain being the obvious candidate with a reputed £85m to spend. Also, while the price tag of $20m suggested in the article might be tempting, there is a Club issue of finding a comparable 12 -20 goal a season midfield replacement. We need at least 1 more year of Jol's 'project' before contemplating letting Demps go. I know he still has 1 year left but renewing now, while not closing the option of him moving, I believe will demonstrate a belief in Jol's vision and (a degree of) stability.
I think he should sign a contract extension. It doesn't mean he can't transfer to another club after all. I hope he stays as he is just a great player.
The contract extension is a no-brainer from the club's point of view, not so sure from Clint's. If I was Clint and I was hoping to move to a Champions League team, I'm not sure that I'd be in a hurry to sign one. He has more options if his contract is running down. I hope he doesn't do that, but if he does he won't be doing anything wrong or disloyal. I hope he doesn't get criticised if things do go that way.
I was surprised recently to see that Clint's just turned 29 - I thought he was a year or two younger. I could be wrong, but in the current market I'd be surprised if anyone came in with a huge offer for a player who'll be 30 next season. I think CM is right - if I was in his shoes I'd probably be happy to sit tight and see what happens in the Summer. The only risk to him is that if he waits for his contract to run down and then picks up a bad injury or loses form he may find he won't get offered the type of deal he can get at Fulham now. From the club's point of view, it may be worth hanging onto him for one more year after which you'd hope to have Frei and Kacaniklic ready to fight for his place. It would be a big blow to lose Dempsey and Dembele in the same Summer, and if reports are to be believed Dembele does look likely to leave.
God I hope both of them don't go. It's like tasting chocolate and then having it taken away and replaced with a turd. I want more chocolate!
I don't see him going anywhere. If Champion's League competition is what he wants, there are only about 10 teams on the planet that have an honest chance of winning: two teams from Spain, two teams in Germany, three teams in Italy and perhaps four in England. Yes, Benfica won it once, but really it's always the same teams in the end that are competing for the title. I like Dempsey, but I can't see him being signed by Madrid, Barcelona, Munich, Stuttgart, either team in Milan, Juve or any of the biggest teams in England. Getting into the Champions League is easy enough - I'm sure he could sign with Paris, Copenhagen or Glasgow, but I doubt getting knocked out of the competition before December is what he has in mind.
Demps has been my favorite player over the last few seasons,and i do hope he signs and stays. But should he go "thanks for the memories"
