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In “news you didn’t expect” today is this little tidbit from Jeff Carlisle of ESPN: Real Salt Lake and Justin Meram are in talks.
Multiple sources tell ESPN that Justin Meram is likely to end up with Real Salt Lake. Most of terms agreed. Would be a solid pickup for them. #RSL
— Jeff Carlisle (@JeffreyCarlisle) February 6, 2020
Taking a step back, it’s a move that makes a great deal of sense. Meram is without a team, has plenty of MLS experience, and would bolster the wide attacking ranks of a side that’s lost three wingers to this point.
Meram, 31, has played in MLS since 2011, joining Columbus Crew out of the MLS Draft. While his career hasn’t quite returned to the heights he experienced in 2016 and 2017 — a two-year span in which he scored 18 goals and had 20 assists — he could prove a valuable player at RSL, where he would likely contend for minutes from the outset.
Born to immigrant parents, Meram’s time at Columbus Crew also saw him called up to the Iraq National Team in 2014. He has featured occasionally for his national side in the intervening years.
Meram is a free agent after a half-season at Atlanta United, which saw him play significant minutes for the side.
We’ll keep listening for news on this one. If Carlisle’s the source of the smoke here, I think it’s fair to say that there’s fire.
But, again — we’ll see.