Berhalter says teams showing interest in Federico Higuain, Kei Kamara

OBETZ, Ohio—Amidst turmoil in Columbus, rumors are now swirling about Columbus Crew SC trading their star striker – and recently minted Designated Player – Kei Kamara.


Sports Illustrated’s Grant Wahl reported Tuesday that Crew SC was receiving offers for Kamara, which MLSSoccer.com later confirmed.


Hearing Columbus is trying to trade Kei Kamara pre-deadline, but it's hard to move DPs since so many teams have the maximum 3 DPs already.


Manager Gregg Berhalter admitted at Tuesday’s training session that there’s plenty of interest as Wednesday’s MLS trade deadline approaches.


ā€œI won’t get into any specifics,ā€ he said. ā€œBut there’s been teams that have reached out to us. I think that’s normal, given that type of story and that type of profile player and what impact he can have in this league.ā€


The ā€œtype of storyā€ Berhalter referenced was Kamara blasting teammate Federico Higuain after the Argentinian playmaker took a penalty kick rather than allowing Kamara to go for his first career hat trick in Saturday’s 4-4 draw against Montreal.


Kamara responded by calling Higuain ā€œselfishā€ and saying he doesn’t ā€œdepend on him for anything,ā€ suggesting his No. 10 doesn’t provide him enough assists.


Berhalter said it makes sense for teams to call, given the situation, and acknowledged outside interest in both players.


ā€œI’ve got a number of emails about both,ā€ Berhalter said. ā€œā€˜Hey, what’s up with this guy? What’s up with that guy?ā€™ā€


Kamara, an MLS veteran of 10 seasons, is no stranger to being traded: Columbus, the San Jose Earthquakes and the Houston Dynamo have all dealt him before.


With that in mind, Kamara says the talk isn’t shocking.


ā€œI’ve been traded in this league before – not once, not twice ā€¦ā€ he said with a smile. ā€œIt doesn’t surprise me. But it’s just trade talks. I didn’t hear it from the coach this morning when I talked to him. But it’s news to me, too. I got in the locker room and saw my phone was blowing up.ā€

Higuain declined requests for an interview at training.


Kamara made it clear that he wasn’t happy with Higuain, and doesn’t have any plans to talk one-on-one with his teammate.


Despite his unhappiness in that regard, Kamara says he doesn’t want to leave Columbus:


ā€œI came to this team to be part of this team and to help build something here. Coming in, my first-ever tweet was [about] the new Crew. Being part of the "New Crew" wasn’t just for one year. Signing the contract this year wasn’t just for [two] months … I was looking forward to a future, and that’s what I’m still looking forward to.ā€


When asked whether he plans to deal either Kamara or Higuain, Berhalter was non-committal.


ā€œWe’re doing everything we can to put this football club in a position to win games,ā€ he said. ā€œI think we’re doing everything to maintain who we are as a team, the identity of the team and the character of this group.ā€


The Crew SC boss said neither Kamara nor Higuain have a no-trade clause in their contract, also announcing Kamara's suspension for Saturday’s match against the Colorado Rapids (7:30pm ET; MLS LIVE).


When the trade deadline and Saturday’s suspension have passed, will Kamara still be in Columbus?


ā€œWhy not?ā€ Berhalter asked. ā€œHe’s on the team now.ā€