Source: New York Red Bulls not signing Red Bull Salzburg midfielder
Zlatko Junuzovic is the latest name linked to the New York Red Bulls this summer. The former Austrian international, currently with Red Bull Salzburg, is being reported as an addition to beef up the MLS clubs MLS midfield.
And a possible move to MLS for the current Red Bull Salzburg midfielder makes sense, given that the New York Red Bulls need depth in central midfield. There is also the fact that the club has taken on loan Salzburg players in the past.
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But this rumor? Nothing too it. Sources tell FanSided’s ‘MLS Multiplex’ that Junuzovic is not headed to New York and will not be joining the MLS club this year. The story from Austrian reporter Peter Linden indicated that Junuzovic could be heading to the New York Red Bulls as early as this summer.
There is no doubt that Junuzovic is a quality player as he was a regular for the Austrian national team, with 55 appearances and seven goals during an international career that began in 2006. The Red Bull Salzburg midfielder’s contract is due to expire next summer.
A central midfielder, Junuzovic joined Red Bull Salzburg in 2018 after nearly six years with German club Werder Bremen. This past season in the Austrian Bundesliga, Junuzovic has 25 appearances for a goal and six assists.
The New York Red Bulls are coming off a 2-1 win on Saturday over previously unbeaten Orlando City. The winning goal was scored on a free kick by central midfielder Cristian Casseres Jr. midway through the second half.
It is quite an accomplishment for Junuzovic to get that run of starts on a team that prioritizes youth and hard running as much as Red Bull Salzburg does. In Austrian, he played for Jesse Marsch, former head coach of the New York Red Bulls.
Earlier this week, the New York Red Bulls pulled off a trade, sending forward Brian White to the Vancouver Whitecaps in exchange for $400,000 in General Allocation Money (GAM). White, after a strong rookie season in 2019 has seen his production – and minutes – dip since then.
The club’s most pressing need right now is finding centerback cover as defender Aaron Long is out for the season with an Achilles injury. The United States international is one of the top defenders in MLS and is an ideal fit in the center of the new York Red Bulls defense.
Follow Kristian Dyer of ‘MLS Multiplex‘ on Twitter @KristianRDyer