Despite what some think, Crew should not accept lowball offers for Max Arfsten | OneFootball

If you’ve been paying attention, you’re aware the Crew turned down an offer last week for Max Arfsten from Toulouse of France’s Ligue 1. Speculation is the club turned it down because it was a lowball offer. Some feel the Crew should have accepted the deal regardless of the dollar amount and their reasoning is an insult to Black and Gold fans.

Arfsten is currently with the USMNT and has started both of their friendlies in preparation for the Gold Cup. So far, his performance has been a bit of a mixed bag-some good, but a fair bit of not so good. Because of this, some feel the best way for him to develop is to do so by playing in Europe. Ok, that’s all fine and dandy, but here is the kicker: those same people feel the Crew should let him go for less than his market value (around $1.4 million) for the good of the USMNT. You read that correctly. The Crew should sell off a rising young player all for the potential betterment of the USMNT.

I get it. Among hard core soccer fans, international competition is paramount. What those who advocate selling a young player like Arfsten for less than his value don’t realize (or don’t care) is how it affects Crew fans. I hope the U.S. does well on the international stage, but I’m a Crew fan above all else and I’ll bet the vast majority of those who fill up Lower.com Field are as well. The attitude of soccer snobs is local fans don’t matter. I spend money on season tickets, gas for the four-hour roundtrip to Columbus, parking, concessions, and the myriad of Crew gear I own. Whether soccer snobs like it or not, local fans matter. Advocating the Crew should accept a cut rate for Arfsten is an insult to us.

Now that he’s on the radar of European clubs, I don’t doubt Arfsten will be leaving at some point. But the Crew should not accept any offer below his value.