U.S. Men’s National Team defender Steve Birnbaum has made a name for himself in MLS with D.C. United, and that’s why the club is having such difficulty coping with the fact that they could lose him.
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According to ESPN FC, D.C. United has been offered $800,000 for the services of Birnbaum by Israeli side Maccabi Tel Aviv, however, the MLS team is reluctant to sell their up-and-coming star.
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Birnbaum, whose contract runs out ahead of the 2018 MLS season, has reportedly seeking a new deal but nothing has come to fruition yet. ESPN FC is also suggesting that Birnbaum would only complete a move to Israel if he isn’t offered a new contract in D.C.
The defender recently appeared for the U.S. in the team’s third-place match against Colombia at the Copa America Centenario. Despite losing the game, 1-0, Birnbaum looked very confident taking over for the missing John Brooks.
Maccabi’s interest in Birnbaum can also be attributed to his Jewish heritage as well. Birnbaum could reportedly count as a domestic signing for the Israeli club if Birnbaum acquires a passport in the European nation.