It is an open secret by now that highly rated Harambee Stars left back Erick ‘Marcelo’ Ouma is one of the Kenyan players most likely to make a breakthrough move in the next phase of his career.From being heavily linked with moves to the European top five leagues where clubs such as Brighton and Hove Albion, Leicester City, Crystal Palace, Atalanta and Wolfsburg have been mentioned among those keeping an eye on him, to being ranked among the top 10 best ‘take on’ defenders by the reputable CIES Football Observatory, Marcelo, who is currently plying his trade at Swedish top tier outfit AIK, only has one stumbling block – his price tag.Highly rated Harambee Stars left back named among Top 10 best defenders in EuropeIn an interview with Swedish publication Sportbladet, the former Gor Mahia man revealed how he would love to experience a new challenge but has not gotten the chance to do so owing to the hard lining stance imposed by his current club on potential suitors.“I think maybe it is about the price of me being too high. Many clubs pull away when they understand that AIK’s price for me is higher than they expected. So I think that is probably the problem,” Otieno said when asked why a move has not happened yet.Kenyan international Erick ‘Marcelo’ Ouma ranked as one of the best ‘take-on’ defenders in the world at position 59 with a score of 75.8/100He outranks;Luke Shaw (75.4)Pervis Estupiñán (75.2)Lucas Digne (74.8)Daley Blind (74.5)Aaron Creswell (73.7)Ferland Mendy (73.4) pic.twitter.com/Ry5A7u8pWl— Murimi Njiru (@muriminjirujnr) February 5, 2023 “I think (other clubs) think so (that AIK values him too highly). The problem is the price tag. As I said before, buying clubs and AIK probably have different views on that. So then it becomes more difficult to negotiate,” he explained.With players worldwide always forcing through a move by handing in transfer requests and refusing to train, the disciplined Kakamega High School alumnus, who is now 26 years, said that is not a route he would take while at the club.“It is about what AIK wants to do. I cannot say now I refuse to train because you do not sell me. It would not change anything. That would only rub more salt in the wounds. I will simply have to wait and see how different parties can come to an agreement,” he stated.##NAJAVA_MECA_7007013##The Kenyan international who has been one of the league’s best left backs however revealed how the situation sometimes weighs on him knowing that the opportunity may not always be there as time goes on.“Sometimes you are disappointed. But just keep doing the work. And I know there are still opportunities open. Many doors can be opened for me. So I don’t feel any pressure. Time passes and so does the contract. But I am not going to force them to sell me. That is up to the club to decide. I may feel that I deserve a move, but it is out of my hands,” he said.Kenya acquires 35,000 seats as plans for Nyayo and Kasarani stadium upgrades beginPersonally, Otieno feels ready for a new challenge having stayed at the club from 2022.”If the offer was good and AIK accepted. Why not? Test me on a new level. The better environments you end up in, the more you can learn. You have to learn new things in life. It is important for me to perform at an even level until I move to a new level,” he said.Kenyan duo move to Oman after getting deal with Dhofar ClubOtieno concluded by saying that AIK is yet to offer him a new deal with hs current contract set to expire in 2024.“I do not know (on renewing his contract). AIK has not told me anything at all. So when I know what they want with me, and what they put on the table, I can respond to that,” he concluded.Impressive Erick ‘Marcelo’ Ouma stats that have attracted top clubs
