These originate from Houston for Ponce and Dynamo

From the beginning, information that the Houston Dynamo were moving to buy Ezequiel Pons from AEK was assessed as serious. Both because of the origin from the other side of the Atlantic (at the same time from the north, in the USA and the south, in Argentina) and because of the end, since the deal was presented as imminent.

The federation denied this, but accepted the American club’s strong interest in the Argentine striker. Which is… the minimum common ground for what emerged from his research (Midnight). Sport24 To other parties concerned.

Sources at Dinamo have confirmed that the deal (if completed) would amount to a record spend in the club’s history amounting to a fixed sum of €5 million (bonuses for achieving goals have also been put on the table, which effectively increases the maximum consideration by 60%).

Pons was the first target for the coaching staff and coach Ben Olsen. Not just now, but starting in April, when MLS’s first-ever transfer window begins. But then it was impossible – for many reasons – for anything to happen.

But now, after the entire Dynamo playing department insists on… looking for AEK’s top scorer last year, the club’s management is convinced to make this investment.

The designated player position is planned for the Argentine. There are three of these players on every U.S. team’s roster, and they escape the salary cap, i.e., the salary restrictions that every professional club, in any sport in the United States, falls under (based on expenses-income).

These people (for short) generally have no maximum earnings cap. Their uniqueness lies in who they will replace and what stock is in the club’s coffers now specifically for the DP trio. Ponce, for example, is expected to replace Paraguayan winger Simba Ferreira, both competitively and financially.

He still has a year and a half left on his contract, but Dinamo have put him on the market and, since they are unhappy with his performances (he was on loan for the first half of last season at Vasco da Gama) are looking, among other things, to release the €2.1 million they collect annually, which They are being offered to Ponce for a (most likely) four-year contract.

Neither the transfer nor the Argentine’s earnings depend on this effort. However, at the end of December, both other key players, experienced Mexican all-rounder Hector Herrera (highest paid) and Danish defender Erik Sviatchenko (earning just under a million), were both signed, and attempts are also being made to replace them. Release him immediately, it’s almost finished.

What indicates optimism that Dynamo officials will quickly complete the transfer process is that it is estimated that the procedures required – which usually take a long time – to issue the visa will quickly “start”, but above all, Ponce, who has been inactive since May 19, will be eligible for the program. Next is ready to make his debut immediately after the official start of the MLS summer transfer window on July 18.

It remains to be seen whether this American certainty of a happy ending – which, if not shared, at least was not rejected by the representatives of the Argentine striker, practically confirming the economic realities of the whole case – corresponds to reality.