Philadelphia Union Interested In Danish Midfielder William Kvist?
By Kevin Kinkead
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- The Philadelphia Union is looking to bolster its squad for the 2015 season, and sources tell CBS Philly that a possible target is Denmark international William Kvist.
A 29-year-old defensive midfielder with 52 caps for his national team, Kvist is currently plying his trade with Wigan Athletic in the English Championship.
The Union connection comes from new consultant Rene Meulensteen, who signed Kvist to his Fulham squad on-loan in January of this year. Kvist was acquired from Stuttgart in the German Bundesliga, but the relationship was short lived, as Meulensteen was sacked less than a month after the deal went through. Fulham then had the option to sign Kvist permanently in the summer, but that option was not exercised and he moved to Wigan on a free transfer after making just eight appearances for the relegated Cottagers.
One person close to the situation said they weren't sure whether or not the Union would make an offer for the midfielder, but confirmed that he was on a list of players that the team was tracking.
Kvist has had little success with the Latics thus far, appearing just nine times this season. The club fell to 22nd place in November, which prompted the firing of manager Uwe Rösler and subsequent appointment of former Cardiff City boss Malky Mackay. Kvist has played zero minutes for Mackay and failed to make the gameday 18 in the November 22nd draw with Middlesborough and the November 29th loss to Sheffield Wednesday. Kvist last appeared as a substitute in the November 7th loss at Bolton Wanderers.
One player competing for a midfield role at Wigan is former Kansas City hard-man Roger Espinoza, who has appeared in both games under Mackay.
Americans probably got their first look at Kvist during the Euro 2012 tournament. He started every single match for the Danes, who found themselves in the tournament's "group of death" with Germany, Portugal, and the Netherlands. Kvist played as holding mid in a triangle that included Tottenham's Christian Eriksen, and the Danes went on to stun the Netherlands before falling to Germany and Portugal and ultimately crashing out in the group stage.
