John Spencer has revealed Houston Dynamo are unlikely to persuade midfielder Stuart Holden to stay in the MLS, with the Scots-born player keen on a move to Europe. Rangers and Aberdeen have both been linked with a move for the US international in January.
Midfielder Holden, named in the MLS All-Star team this season, is out of contract at the end of December and the £2million-rated star can sign for another club for free. Spencer, assistant coach at Dynamo, admitted the player had resisted attempts to tie him down in Houston, with a move abroad inevitable.
“Stuart’s a very shrewd young man,” the ex-Rangers player told the Scottish News of the World.
“Every year we’ve tried to re-negotiate, giving him a raise and a longer deal.
“Every year he’s said he’d rather wait so he has options. Well, that time has arrived.”
Player contracts in the US league are held by the league itself and Spencer revealed top executives had personally intervened to try to keep the international in the country.
He added: “Two top MLS men – commissioner Don Garber and vice-president Todd Durbin – have personally spoken to Stuart to tell him they want him to stay.”
Aberdeen boss Mark McGhee had declared his interest in the player, who was born in the city, but has since admitted he may be snapped up by a bigger club. Rangers are reputedly readying an offer for Holden and are said to have had him watched on international duty last month.
"My contract is up and I've told Houston Dynamo I want to weigh up my options before I commit to anything,” Holden said last week.
“I would never rule out staying there - given what they have done for me - but I'd be doing myself a disservice if I didn't look further afield.
"I'm available on a free and I've already got a few options in Scotland and England. Moving back to the UK appeals but I have to make sure wherever I end up I'm playing every week.
"I have a big chance to play at the World Cup in the summer and don't want to miss out on it by being at the wrong side."
