Don’t put Jermaine Jones in all red just yet.
Days after the Chicago Fire emerged as front-runners to sign the US national team midfielder and World Cup star, Jones reportedly turned down the club’s multimillion-dollar Designated Player offer.
According to Ives Galarcep of Goal.com, Jones passed on a two-and-a-half year deal worth $6 million as he weighs his future following a World Cup in which he started all four games for the USMNT, scoring once in spectacular fashion and impressing with his forceful play.
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Jones, meanwhile, took to Twitter on Saturday morning to give his side of the story, confirming Chicago’s offer but disputing the contract details included in the report.
Following a scoreless draw against Vancouver on Wednesday, Fire head coach Frank Yallop said the club was in talks with Jones but added no deal or announcement was imminent.
“We have interest in the player, for sure,” Yallop said. “We’ve spoken to the agent, but at this point there’s nothing to add until someone agrees or it gets concluded. The truth of the matter is we have interest in the player, but nothing has been finalized yet. That’s all I can say on it for now.”
Jones has spent much of the offseason in Southern California, stumping for a move to MLS and enjoying time off following the US’ run to the Round of 16 in Brazil.
Since joining the US setup in 2011, Jones has amassed 49 caps and scored three goals under the direction of Bob Bradley and Jurgen Klinsmann. He spent the second half of 2014 on loan from Schalke 04 at Turkish club Besiktas.
