Italian Serie A team, Bologna, has put forth a revised offer for Cade Cowell, the American attacker from the San Jose Earthquakes, according to multiple sources familiar with the negotiations, as reported by ESPN.
The updated proposal entails a loan arrangement with a purchase option attached.
An insider familiar with the discussions revealed that if the purchase option is triggered, the initial transfer fee would amount to $3 million, potentially increasing to $5.5 million with specific performance-based incentives.
Additionally, San Jose would be entitled to a percentage of any prospective future transfers.
Negotiations are currently in progress, with Italy’s transfer window closing on September 1 and the MLS roster freeze date set for September 13.
This development corroborates reports from The Athletic that the Quakes had declined an offer from Ligue 1’s Stade de Reims last year, as well as Bologna’s initial bid.
Cade Cowell, aged 19, is currently in his fifth season with the San Jose Earthquakes, having signed a Homegrown contract with the team in January 2019. In the ongoing season, he has contributed three assists across 13 league matches.
Cowell also represented the United States at the FIFA Under-20 World Cup, where he scored three goals, propelling the U.S. to the quarterfinals before losing to eventual champions Uruguay.
In total, Cowell has netted 11 goals for San Jose in a combined 102 appearances spanning league, cup, and playoff matches.
Cowell made his international debut for the U.S. in a friendly against Bosnia & Herzegovina in January 2021. Since then, he has earned eight caps, and earlier this year, he participated in the 2023 Concacaf Gold Cup, scoring a goal in a resounding 6-0 victory over Trinidad & Tobago.