Nicolás Fernández Mercau wanted to make it clear that New York City FC was where he wanted to be, despite rumors during the summer transfer window that suggested otherwise.
The NYCFC star told The Post he “had the final decision at the end of the day” when asked to clarify the rumors he wanted to leave the club.
“I know there was mutually agreed terms between two clubs, but at the end of the day, it’s a decision that I made with my family to stay here,” Fernández Mercau said through a translator after training Wednesday. “I’m really happy here. This is where I want to be. But also at the same time, I am an important figure at the team and that helps me mentally to want to [be] here as well.”
While the star striker did not name the team NYCFC had agreed to terms with on a deal, it had been reported NYCFC had accepted a $25 million transfer offer from Sporting Kansas City before the summer transfer window closed earlier this month. Fernández Mercau explained he did not feel “it was time” for him to move on and that at 26 years old, his next goal is making the Argentina national team.
“Obviously there’s still a lot in my game that I need to grow to get to that level,” he said. “But as long as I focus on what I need to do, that would be the next step in my career.”
It’s hard to argue Fernández Mercau has not been focused on growing his game, as he’s become one of NYCFC’s most important players. With 15 regular-season goals, he’s tied for third in scoring across MLS, and his goal against Salt Lake City on Saturday helped his club get its first regular-season win since July 25 against Chicago.
NYCFC will need to keep that momentum as they head into Friday’s Hudson River Derby against the Red Bulls, with both clubs looking for points in the Eastern Conference standings.
The Red Bulls sit in 10th, just outside postseason positioning, while NYCFC are eighth and would have to play a single-elimination wild-card match if the season ended today.
“It’s a derby, it’s emotional, and it means a lot to our fans on both sides,” NYCFC head coach Pascal Jansen said. “It’s going to be an intense game no matter what. For us, it’s mainly about making sure we keep a cool head, keep things under control, stick to the plan we make.”
