Reports: NYCFC are looking to purchase remaining stake in Ronald Matarrita

by CHRISTIAN ARAOS

New York City FC only purchased half of Ronald Matarrita’s contract last season and are looking to secure full ownership of the player, La Nación reports.

NYCFC have made a $350,000 offer to Alajuelense for full ownership of Matarrita’s contract. That was declined. They reportedly bought half of his contract and his transfer rights for $525,000 last year. Alajuelense officials believe that with interest in Matarrita coming from overseas, it can receive a higher fee for its share of the player. Pinto suggested that NYCFC rejected an offer from Club Brugge in Belgium.

“I hope New York sells him for two or three million because [we] would take a great slice,” Alajuelense club president Raúl Pinto said. “It would be 50% of the sale and if they already rejected a $1.5 million fee then imagine the share we would retain.”

NYCFC hold negotiating rights for Matarrita and announced Monday that they had exercised their option on the player. Hamburg and Borussia Dortmund are interested in signing Matarrita in the January window but City value him well beyond the $1.5 million Brugge offered. If City were to sell Matarrita now, they would collect two-thirds of half the transfer fee. If they first purchase the remaining share of Matarrita then sell him, then they would collect two-thirds of the fee.

“We are waiting for the right offer for Matarrita,” incoming Alajuelense president Fernando Ocampo said. “[He was] declared one of the best defenders in the MLS, who has proven his worth, young, with a privileged left and with a speed that many admire. I am sure that soon it will happen to a better league “