Twellman Bid Neared $3M

Offer For Revs' Striker Was $2.5M Plus Incentives

January 13, 2008

By Nick Williams

Preston North End's bid for Taylor Twellman reached as high as $2.5 million with incentives that could have pushed the deal to $3 million before it was ultimately rejected by Major League Soccer.

The move means the Revolution striker will stay in New England, for now, and honor the long-term pact he signed with MLS a year ago.

Taylor Twellman drew a $2.5 million deal from Preston North End of England's second division. (CHRIS ADUAMA/aduama.com)

"We upped our initial offer for Taylor Twellman to a guaranteed $2 million, with more based on incentives," Derek Shaw, Chairman of Preston North End, said on the club's website. "However, we have had word back that the MLS are not looking to do business and not willing to accept our offer. The deal now looks dead in the water and we are looking to other targets."

The Boston Globe reported last week that MLS declined Preston North End's initial offer of $1.675 million for Twellman, citing an unidentified MLS source. The paper went on to report that the club, which is floundering near the bottom of the standings in England's second division, was considering raising the offer to $2 million with plans to pay Twellman an annual salary of $1 million.

Twellman, the Revolution's all-time leading scorer and face of the franchise, attracted the interest of Preston North End just one year after drawing a $1 million transfer bid from Norway's Odd Grenland. The bid was ultimately rejected and Twellman ended up signing a 4-year, $1.4 million deal with MLS.

"The league has refused an offer for Taylor," Revolution director of soccer Mike Burns told the Globe. "To my knowledge, they have not received a secondary offer, so I can't comment on that.

"Taylor just re-signed a long-term contract with the league, so it would have to be a situation where it made sense for everyone. But we are not looking to lose Taylor. It would be very difficult to replace him."

Just last week, Revs' midfielder and Boston University product Andy Dorman signed a one-year deal with Scottish club St. Mirren worth between $300,000-$400,000 annually, a hefty raise from his $30,000 MLS salary.

While the Revs were inclined to let Dorman walk, considering he fell out of favor with coach Steve Nicol, they won't be as kind with Twellman.

Still, it will be interesting to see just how high Preston North -- or any other club -- will bid for the blonde striker's services.

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