New York City FC is remaining tight-lipped about the transfer rumors surrounding star striker Nicolás Fernández Mercau, with sporting director Todd Dunivant being the latest club official to not explicitly deny reports.
Dunivant said he would not “comment on specific conversations” when asked by The Post if Fernández Mercau or his representative had expressed a desire for a transfer out of New York.
The NYCFC sporting director added that the club was “having a lot of” conversations and “keeping in close communication.”
“We obviously are making sure that we’re doing right by the club first and foremost because he’s our player,” Dunivant said. “But it’s important to keep him in close communication so that we can be honest and transparent about everything that’s going on. And we’ll continue to do that with him throughout all of it.”
Dunivant was speaking with The Post and amNewYork during a media event at the club’s headquarters in Manhattan when he addressed the Fernández Mercau speculation.
Last month, journalist Germán García Grova reported that Fernández Mercau communicated his desire for a transfer and that NYCFC rejected a sizable offer for the star.
Head coach Pascal Jansen and Dunivant have been given opportunities to shoot down the report. Neither has done so.
It isn’t a surprise to New York City FC that other clubs have interest in Fernández Mercau, considering the talent he’s shown this season on the pitch.
Fernández Mercau’s 13 goals are tied for most in MLS, scoring more than Inter Miami superstar Lionel Messi (12) this year. And Fernández Mercau has found the back of the net in each of the club’s last three games since the World Cup break ended.
“It’s something to manage, and it’s something that we’re in close contact with him about,” Dunivant said about the interest in him. “You’ve seen he’s come back ever since that. We’ve had three games. He scored in every single game, so it shows his ability to manage his mindset, which isn’t an easy thing to do when there’s things that are out there and other things that are being talked about in the world. Credit to him for showing up and performing under those types of circumstances.”
NYCFC will have a busy schedule, with three Leagues Cup matches slated to take place over the next week.
