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Nicolas Fernandez Mercau, a key player for New York City FC, clarified rumors that he wanted to leave the club during the summer transfer window. Despite NYCFC agreeing to a $25 million transfer offer from Sporting Kansas City, Fernández Mercau decided to stay with his family's support, expressing happiness and commitment to furthering his career, including aiming to join Argentina’s national team. The striker emphasized his importance to the team and highlighted his goal-scoring contributions, including 15 regular-season goals that place him third in MLS scoring this season.
Written locally by qwen2.5:14b on 2026-09-18,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
In August, rumors circulated that Nicolás Fernández Mercau, a star striker for New York City FC (NYCFC), was considering leaving the team due to reports of an accepted $25 million transfer offer from Sporting Kansas City before the summer transfer window closed. However, after much speculation, Fernández Mercau confirmed through a translator during a Wednesday training session that he had made the final decision to stay with NYCFC. The player stated that despite mutual agreement between clubs on a deal, his family and personal ambition influenced his choice to remain at NYCFC, where he feels mentally fulfilled. At 26 years old, Fernández Mercau aims to further develop his skills in order to secure a spot on the Argentina national team.
Written for “NYCFC Player Stays” on 2026-09-18,
grounded in this article and the 0 other(s) covering the same event.
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.
uncertain
that → want → window
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.
asserted
he → tell → 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.
asserted
Mercau → know → training
“I’m really happy here.
asserted
I → ’m → ?
This is where I want to be.
asserted
I → want → ?
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.”
asserted
that → help → me
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.
asserted
window → name → City
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.
asserted
goal → explain → team
“Obviously there’s still a lot in my game that I need to grow to get to that level,” he said.
asserted
he → ’ → level
“But as long as I focus on what I need to do, that would be the next step in my career.
asserted
that → focus → 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.
asserted
he → ’ → 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.
asserted
club → tie → 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.
asserted
clubs → need → 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.
asserted
season → sit → match
“It’s a derby, it’s emotional, and it means a lot to our fans on both sides,” NYCFC head coach Pascal Jansen said.
asserted
Jansen → ’ → sides
“It’s going to be an intense game no matter what.
asserted
It → go → ?
For us, it’s mainly about making sure we keep a cool head, keep things under control, stick to the plan we make.”
asserted
we → ’ → plan
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