Contract issues bust Adu's Benfica move

The Associated Press is reporting that Freddy Adu will remain in MLS with Real Salt Lake, as negotiations with Portuguese club Benfica broke down.

According to the report posted on ESPNsoccernet.com, "Major League Soccer and Benfica reached an agreement on a $2 million transfer fee for the 18-year-old American, but Adu and the Portuguese club could not work out contract terms, a person familiar with the negotiations said Tuesday."

As is also noted in the story, with the transfer deadline over a month away, the deal could still happen. Former RSL coach and current club advisor John Ellinger also commented on the reports.

"I know Freddy has called his agent and said 'It's still open. Don't let this get off the table.' It's still a real possibility," Ellinger said before Tuesday's game. "As a club, we're ecstatic to keep him and we're ecstatic for him if he gets a chance to play overseas. That's kind of how we feel about it."

Soccer super agent Richard Motskin would not comment on the busted negotiations.