HCM City FC hopes to recruit Vietnamese American midfielder Lee Nguyen to the V.League 1 this season. Photo 90minutes.com

The V.League 1 runners-up are reportedly in negotiations with Nguyen, who currently plays for Inter Miami CF in the American Major League Soccer (MLS).

“We holding talks. The main issues which have not been agreed are about salary and transfer fee,” an unnamed official from HCM City was quoted as saying on zing.vn.

“We hope this deal will be concluded swiftly so that Nguyen can register in time for the opening day of the V.League 1. He also needs time to train with his new teammates,” he said.

It is reported that HCM City have offered a VND10 billion (US$430,000) salary per year for the 33-year-old player, which would be a record in Vietnam but still below his expectations.

Nguyen was a member of the US national team in 2007 when he was 20.

He previously played in Vietnam in 2009 for former champions Hoang Anh Gia Lai. He played 24 matches before moving to three-time winners Becamex Binh Duong where he failed to shine and left after a year. He also said he would never play in Vietnam again.

After signing in the states, Nguyen shone for the New England Revolution for six years till 2018. He was in the MLS’s best XI in 2014.

In 2019, he scored three goals and helped Los Angeles FC win the Western Conference Championship.

The attacking midfielder joined Inter Miami, which is co-owned by football legend David Beckham, last November.

The Vietnam transfer window will close in 10 days. HCM City have already signed top including national team goalkeeper Bui Tien Dung and striker Nguyen Cong Phuong. VNS

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