Struggling Davao gets aggressive, targets Younghusband siblings via transfer window

Philippines Football League club FC Meralco Manila will be facing stiff competition in its bid to keep stars Phil and James Younghusband in the squad as the mid-year transfer window opened this week.

Two clubs, including newcomer San Miguel Davao Aguilas, have expressed interest in acquiring the Younghusband brothers, whose three-year deal with Meralco ends at the end of August.

“Two clubs are interested, but they are still under contract with Meralco,” said a reliable source. “What’s important to them (Younghusband brothers) is that they can continue playing at a high level.”

The Younghusband brothers have been with the Sparks since 2011, winning two trophies, including the UFL Cup in 2014.

A source within Meralco said the club is ready to offer Phil and James a one-year deal.

But the two clubs are reportedly offering a longer deal for the Younghusband brothers.

It will cost Aguilas

The transfer won’t be easy as it looks.

With the transfer window closing on August 15, two weeks before their contract ends with Meralco, the Sparks could ask for a transfer fee for the two players.

“The fee could go beyond P10 million (for the Younghusband brothers),” said the source.

After going winless in its first 10 games of the season, Davao, which is owned by businessman Jefferson Cheng, is undergoing a massive roster upgrade with midfielders Matthew Hartmann and Jason De Jong heading to the Mindanao club from Global Cebu and Ceres-Negros respectively.

Simone Rota, who recovered from a knee injury recently, is also reportedly beefing up the Aguilas, along with another Ceres player, Jorrel Aristorenas.