by DAVE MARTINEZ

On Thursday afternoon, American soccer legend and Fox Soccer pundit Eric Wynalda revealed via Twitter that up to eight clubs from Europe are in the hunt for wildly popular New York City FC super-sub Kwadwo Poku.

There are 8 teams pursuing him in Europe to my knowledge – so maybe it's time to start promoting thru other players https://t.co/W3qyheNWc4 — Eric Wynalda (@EricWynalda) October 22, 2015

That is just the latest in a season filled with interest for the NYCFC spark plug. The Ghanian midfielder enjoyed a tremendous year with the expansion NYCFC — one made even more interesting thanks to several behind the scenes moves that never quite panned out.

First and foremost is a trade to the Philadelphia Union. EoS has learned that Poku nearly made a move to the City of Brotherly Love as early as this July. According to well-placed sources, Poku came “very close” to joining Philadelphia in the secondary MLS trade window just prior to the arrivals of both Andrea Pirlo and Frank Lampard. Head coach Jim Curtin and NYCFC boss Jason Kreis were said to be spearheading the possible transaction.

What remains unclear, however, is the value that would go back to New York and the reason for the the deal falling through. One source claims allocation money would have been in the mix and another, a player swap. Whatever the case may be, just as a deal appeared complete, NYCFC shut down all communication with Philadelphia.

As for the reasons behind the demise of this deal, sources believe that NYCFC either a) decided at a high level to squash the deal outright or b) were forced to end conversations after a red-hot performance from the midfielder this summer. Keep in mind; this was at a time when fans were chanting for Poku over more established, legendary players like Lampard and Pirlo. The fan outcry alone would have devastated the club.

While several reliable sources have stepped up to confirm this report, an NYCFC spokesperson denies such a move was ever in the works, let alone entertained.

Whatever the case may be, that isn’t the only time outside clubs have come calling for Poku this season. While at preseason training in England this winter, Manchester City inquired about a possible stay for Poku with their academy.

As the season progressed, Bundesliga clubs in both the first and second division began actively reaching out to the former Atlanta Silverbacks midfielder over a move as well.

While none of this has panned out in Poku’s favor, he still managed an incredibly successful season as a bit player under the NYCFC umbrella. He has featured in 26 matches, starting only six, but managing four goals and seven assists in just 944 minutes this season. In other words, Poku played a part in nearly 23% of the team’s goals on the season despite playing the equivalent of ten and a half matches.

That production earned him his first cap with Ghana last week, playing seven minutes in a draw against Canada at RFK Stadium.

What will Poku’s future hold? That remains to be seen. However, it is clear the former NASL and NPSL talent will have options come this offseason.