Keepin’ It Real has been able to track down some information direct from Costa Rica that confirms the information we have been receiving.  It sounds like the price may be an issue.  We know from comments by the league that they have proposed increases to the salary cap.  It could be that the reason reports have indicated that the labor dispute is holding up this deal, is due to the fact that teams are waiting for confirmation on the salary cap before they are willing to settle on a loan fee for the player.  There are likely a number of complexities with this negotiation.

Here is what we know:

  • Real Salt Lake appears to hold first discovery claim
  • Chivas USA appears interested, but their discovery position is unknown
  • His current contract reportedly goes through at least June
  • Economic rights are split jointly between FC Sion and Deportivo Saprissa

In addition, Saborio is a player that until recently has been playing at a high level.  It’s unknown what duration is being discussed or if the player wants an “out” in order to be able to return to Europe at some point once he has regained his form, and there are open transfer possibilities.

Here are some of the comments that we have received:

From our new friends at TICODEPORTE.COM:

That information we have is that Real Salt Lake has the first option and if they don’t take Saborio then will be Chivas USA next, Antonio Cué owner of Chivas said that he wants Saborio, so it is a matter of time to find out who will take Alavaro Sborio. Sion FC owns 50% of hes contract and it could be to high as far as dollars to get him in a loan

Courtesy of PrensaLibre.co.cr:

Alvaro Saborio is a center forward, and wears the number 9

He debuted in Costa Rica’s Deportivo Saprissa and after a few seasons was traded to the Sion of Switzerland. His first seasons there he did very well, but last year he started having problems with the technical director and team management, so he left on loan to Bristol City in England’s second division, He was only there a few months because he did not fit in. After that he returned to the country to train with Saprissa in the hope that his agent, Argentina’s Horacio Patani, could help settle his future …

The most likely possibility is the MLS and he has talked about Real Salt Lake or the Seattle Sounders as possibilities

The agent says he hopes to reach an agreement with one of the two teams or others who might be interested shortly

Saborio has been selected to join Costa Rica  as a participant in the last World Cup and Olympic Games in Athens 2004