Transfers: Where is Jan Mucha?

Jan Mucha did not attend Legia Warsaw’s first training of the year. The Slovak goalkeeper of the Ekstraklasa runners-up spent several days in the United Kingdom for trials. “We don’t even know at which club,” said Legia board member Jarosław Ostrowski. Clubs reportedly involved include Tottenham, Stoke, and Sunderland.

The Slovak international reportedly traveled with his agent Jozef Tokos earlier this week, most likely to one of the English clubs (Glasgow Rangers was also speculated, but is considered unlikely). Mucha has consistently said that playing in the Premier League is his dream. Several clubs are looking for a goalkeeper – Tottenham (which wants a strong backup for Gomes), Stoke, and Sunderland – and one of these is expected to be the interested party.

The player has not answered calls since Tuesday and does not want to disclose his location. He asked Legia for an extended leave. “He called us and said he needed more time, until Saturday. We agreed,” Ostrowski told Gazeta. “We could not refuse, as the player is negotiating important matters concerning his future,” added Legia sporting director Miroslaw Trzeciak on the club’s official website.

Mucha can negotiate a contract with a new club that would take effect from July 1, meaning he would leave Legia for free. His contract with the Polish runners-up expires on June 30, giving him the right to negotiate with a new employer without Legia’s influence. Mucha could also leave immediately, but in that case, the new club would likely have to pay a transfer fee of several hundred thousand euros to Legia. “Any solution is acceptable to us,” Legia coach Jan Urban said in an interview with Gazeta. “As a coach, I would like him to stay as long as possible. However, in the context of the World Cup, this might also be the best option for Janko. Moving to a better league and club does not necessarily mean he will play immediately, which could affect his position in the Slovak national team,” he added.