Espanyol among clubs that offered deal for Erick ‘Marcelo’ Ouma, revelations on why it was rejected

Segunda Division side Reial Club Deportiu Espanyol de Barcelona - commonly known as RCD Espanyol - was one of the clubs that was interested in snapping up AIK left back and Kenyan international Erick ‘Marcelo’ Ouma.

In a publication by Swedish newspaper Sportbladet on Friday, it has been revealed that the Spanish club - which now plays in the second tier after suffering relegation from La Liga last season- also had its offer placed in this year’s summer window rejected, with much optimism that the deal could still happen in the near future.

The near future, as per the source, is next year’s winter transfer window in January, where Espanyol, along with several other Spanish clubs, are said to be gaining interest in signing the 26-year-old.

As has been the case with previous speculations surrounding Ouma’s exit from AIK - a club he is contracted to till December 2024 - the reason for Espanyol’s offer being rejected was the fact that they couldn’t meet the club’s player valuation, given the sell-on clause the Kenyan carries on his back.

After sealing his move to Swedish club AIK in 2020, it was reported that his former club - Vasalund IF - inserted a 30% sell-on clause on his contract and one that generally means they are entitled to an amount equivalent to that percentage on his future transfer fees.

For that reason, it has been previously reported that AIK’s valuation on the player is a tad higher than what multiple clubs have tabled before and that they could be open to keeping him for the remainder of the season in the pursuit of remaining in the Allsvenskan.

This is not alien stuff for the Swedish top tier club, as according to Expressen in June this year, AIK received bids from two unnamed clubs, but they rejected both, citing the bid amounts did not reflect the value they have placed on the defender.

Former French giants St Etienne then, were believed to be one of the sides bidding for the Kenyan.

Ouma keen for new European challenge but AIK’s high asking price blocking potential moves

In a separate interview in early February this year, the former Gor Mahia player admitted to loving an experience that presented him with a new challenge but also speculated on the reasons behind his stalled moves saying: “I think maybe it is about the price of me being too high. Many clubs pull away when they understand that AIK's price for me is higher than they expected. So I think that is probably the problem.”

Asked about what he felt about the general situation - which has seen him gather interest from some of Europe's top sides like Brighton and Hove Albion, Leicester City, Crystal Palace, Atalanta, and Wolfsburg to no avail - he added: “Sometimes you are disappointed but just keep doing the work. And I know there are still opportunities open. Many doors can be opened for me. So I don't feel any pressure. Time passes and so does the contract. But I am not going to force them to sell me. That is up to the club to decide. I may feel that I deserve a move, but it is out of my hands.”

Highly rated Harambee Stars left back named among Top 10 best defenders in Europe

Ouma in 2022 played a total of 2,213 minutes, accumulated across 26 matches in the Swedish top-tier league, and went on to score two goals and set up four others, the second-most goal contributions by a defender in the league that year.

The left-back, whose market value currently stands at €1,500,000 (Ksh. 204,000,000) as of last December, has been ranked as one of the best over 23-year-old full-backs with the best dribbling ability in the world and ranked 59th among players with the best take-on index in the world.

AIK are currently 13th in the Allsvenskan with 22 points from 21 matches and next play Hammarby on Sunday 3 September on the road at the Tele2 Arena.