FOXBOROUGH, MA– Transfer talks between the New England Revolution and La Liga side UD Almería have broken down, resulting in Ghanian defensive midfielder Iddrisu Baba remaining with the Spanish club.
Idrissa Baba (4) poses for the first time after signing with UD Almería. Image Courtesy of UD Almería.
Iddrisu Baba is a 28-year-old, 6’1, 170lb defensive midfielder from Accra, Ghana.
At the club level, Baba has played 234 career games (16,042 minutes) across Spain with Club Deportivo Leganés B (2015-16), Real Club Deportivo Mallorca B (2016-18), on loan at Barakaldo Club de Fútbol (2017-18), Real Club Deportivo Mallorca (2018-present) and on loan UD Almería (2023-present). New England would’ve been his 6th professional club.
According to Spanish journalist Hugo Cerezo of Relevo, The New England Revolution were reportedly close to signing Iddrisu Baba.
?? Iddrisu Baba, traspaso sorpresa: a punto de irse a la MLS.
? A pesar de que restan siete jornadas, el Almería está a punto de dar vía libre a la marcha inmediata del centrocampista al New England Revolution.
✍️ @hugocerezo https://t.co/btrXpuxZrW
— Relevo (@relevo) April 19, 2024
The process was complicated as Iddrisu Baba initially had 4 days left in La Liga for him to be able to transfer to New England. The complicated part? He is on loan at UD Almería from Real Club Deportivo Mallorca. The loan does include a purchase option though, which both sides were comfortable with initiating for the deal to move forward.
The club had already told Baba he is not included in their plans for next season.
The 2023-24 La Liga Standings.
Almería, who haven’t had the best season in LA Liga are set to be relegated at the conclusion of the season. In a translated recount with the club’s official radio station at the end of November, Baba stated, “I haven’t left the house for a long time, I’m always stuck there. In this situation it’s difficult to go down the street. I know that the fans “It hurts a lot. I’m a person who thinks too much, because most of the time I’m at home doing nothing and I’m thinking too much.”.
In an updated report, Spanish journalist Hugo Cerezo of Relevo, stated that talks between UD Almería and New England Revolution have officially broken down.
? Colapso en el traspaso de Iddrisu Baba a la MLS cuando el jugador viajaba al reconocimiento médico.
Un desencuentro final con las cifras bloqueó el movimiento.
? El Almería deberá ejecutar la opción de compra a final de temporada.
✍️ @hugocerezo https://t.co/JPCeBNsH4H
— Relevo (@relevo) April 22, 2024
In the updated report, Cerezo states that there were disagreements with transfer numbers as well as the complexity of his loan situation were what ultimately blocked the move. The transfer window also closes tomorrow, which added more to the situation.
Reportedly, Idrissa Baba, with the club’s permission, did not train Monday and was enroute to Barcelona to undergo a medical to join the New England Revolution.
He will now remain with UD Almería for the remainder of the season and will be officially acquired by the club due to the loan deals mandatory purchase clause.
New England Revolution team logo. Image courtesy of Major League Soccer.
Caleb Porter and the New England Revolution (1-1-6, 4 pts.) return home to New England to face Eastern Conference leaders Inter Miami (5-3-2, 18 pts.). The match will kick off at Gillette Stadium at 7:30 p.m. EST on Saturday, April 27th. For more MLS NEXT Pro content, you can find it on MLS Season Pass on the Apple TV app.
New England Revolution
