Bogert: Sporting KC Could Spend “50 to 60 Million in Total Fees”

The Major League Soccer secondary transfer window is winding down. And with it, talks are heating up more than in years past. Unlike in 2025, when the window closed well ahead of Europe, this one is staying open until the big five leagues in Europe are closed. Massive deals could actually come down to the wire.

As we discussed yesterday, David Lee is under the gun to get something done. With the impending transfer of Dejan Joveljic to the Seattle Sounders, Sporting Kansas City are trying to get moves over the line.

Heading into the transfer window, David Lee hoped for four to seven starting caliber players. So far, he’s added record Designated Player signing Andre Luiz, Moises Mosquera and Emir Karic. All clear starters. However, he lost Manu Garcia and Joveljic. That’s just plus one in the starter category and down a DP. Probably not what anyone anticipated.

Not to mention, the results have been terrible. Sporting KC are dead last in all of MLS and headed towards their first Wooden Spoon (the “award” for the worst record) in club history. They are technically still alive for a playoff spot, but that’s more of an indictment on the MLS system than anything the team did to earn it.

What is Sporting KC’s Plan?

At this point, the plan has to be to try and get right before this transfer window closes with some impactful signings. Then find some form, avoid the spoon, and set the team up for success in the 2027 Sprint Season and beyond.

MLS insider, Tom Bogert, who is likely to stay busier than ever with this later transfer window, has a glimmer of hope for Sporting KC fans.

On Monday’s episode of Soccerwise he said, “I’m expecting at least one [Designated Player], they’re going to try for two [this window].” He went on to say definitely two by the winter.

Bogert said he understands the team are targeting a #9 (striker) and #10 (attacking midfielder). Obviously, the team just released Manu Garcia, who Lee said he doesn’t actually see as a #10 and then there is the sale of Dejan Joveljic, one of the most prolific strikers in the league over the last few years.

Lee told us Sporting KC are looking for a different profile at the #10 spot and now Bogert is saying the same thing about the #9 position. He also indicated the sale of Joveljic has something to do with being the only sellable asset on the team. Lee values General Allocation Money (GAM) and this deal is set to net SKC $3 million. That money can be used to pay down transfer fees for non-DPs or salaries against the MLS salary budget, or to trade for more international spots to fill the remaining roster spots.

The sale of Joveljic still came as a shock to all three hosts of Soccerwise, David Gass and Matt Doyle included. “I think it’s pretty shocking that there are not four or five MLS teams willing to put up this number [on Dejan],” said Gass. Bogert added, “I thought that he was somebody that they’re building around.”

As of Monday, Bogert also noted that at the time of recording the deal wasn’t done. However, Seattle has since announced a press conference and tweeted a less than subtle hint at who is coming.

What Will Sporting KC Spend?

David Lee was pretty transparent, before the Dejan news, that they were willing to spend as much or more than they did on Andre Luiz. That was rumored to be $18 million with up to $4 million in add-ons. They’ve reportedly offered NYCFC a $25 million package for attacking midfielder Nico Fernandez Mercau.

Bogert added, “[Sporting KC] will throw a lot of money at both of these open DP spots. It is not unreasonable to say with 18 million on Andre Luiz and whatever they do for the nine and the 10, whether it’s over the next eight days before the window closes or the winter. It’s not unreasonable to say 50 to 60 million in total in fees. Like that’s what we’re talking about here.”

What is Going on with Nico Fernandez?

Much like we heard when the rumor broke, it sounds like the deal may not be happening.

“What I was told last week is talks are inactive and it and it isn’t happening,” Bogert began. “Maybe something changes. I don’t know why, I don’t think it’d be more attractive without Dejan, but that was my understanding. If Nico Mercau was going to leave NYCFC [it would] probably [be] Europe or maybe something huge in in Brazil.”

The whole Soccerwise show is worth a listen, but there is an overwhelming amount of Sporting KC talk for a team in dead last. Be sure to listen at the link above and the timestamps and links to them are below.

• 5:56 Dejan Joveljić to Seattle
• 14:58 The Puzzle of Sporting KC’s Transfers
• 47:37 NYCFC’s Nico Fernández Mercau Stays Put

All this transfer talk shows Sporting KC are busy trying to change things, even if it looks fairly bleak today. This season is lost, but at least they can start to turn a corner.

Stay with the KC Soccer Journal for all your Sporting KC needs. It should be a busy last week of the window.