It’s not the long-term answer Chicago Fire fans were looking for, but the Fire still have Aleksandar Katai on loan for another month.
The Fire released a statement saying Katai is on loan through the end of July and the team is discussing a new agreement with parent club Deportivo Alaves.
Sam Stejskal of MLSsoccer.com reported that Katai’s loan was initially set to run through July and it was only the buy option that was set to expire at the end of June. This goes against a press release from parent club Deportivo Alaves, which said Katai’s loan ran through the end of June. A source confirmed Stejskal’s report.
Katai scored two goals on what was believed to be the final day of his initial loan period, and there was no word on whether he would stay. After the game, Katai said he didn’t know his future, which also seems to go against the loan running through July initially. Regardless, Katai is with the Fire for another month.
Katai has become an essential part of the attack with a hot run of six goals and three assists in his past eight matches. He has had a goal or an assist in every game during that stretch. He leads the team with eight goals.
Also on Monday, Katai was named to MLS Team of the Week. His two second-half goals turned a halftime deficit into a 3-2 win. The 27-year-old Serbian winger has been part of the league’s Team of the Week for three straight weeks.
Katai’s contract with Alaves runs through next June. The La Liga side didn’t seem to have any interest in playing him. However, his recent run of performances could allow Alaves to pry a transfer fee out of the Fire.
While transfer negotiations with Katai continue, the Fire have been connected to Spanish striker Fernando Torres. It is unclear if the delay in Katai’s negotiations is related to Torres or if the Fire could potentially retain Katai and add Torres.