Victor Wanyama: 5 options available to ex-Harambee Stars captain as CF Montreal contact runs out

Victor Wanyama: 5 options available to ex-Harambee Stars captain as CF Montreal contact runs out

Joel Omotto 05:19 - 04.10.2024

Victor Wanyama is coming to the end of his stay at MLS club CF Montreal as his contract ends in a couple of months but what options are available for him to choose from?

Kenyan midfielder Victor Wanyama is coming to the end of his contract at MLS club CF Montreal and from the look of things, he is unlikely to get another extension.

Wanyama joined Montreal in March 2020 from Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur and after three years, he was handed a new two-year deal that runs to the end of the 2024 season.

However, he has become a peripheral figure who rarely gets a look-in with his last appearance in the league being July 14 before missing the last eight games, either sitting on the bench or not even in the matchday squad.

As the club’s top earner, currently on $1.8 million (Ksh233 million), his annual guaranteed compensation, with a basic salary of $1.44 million (Ksh186 million), it looks like Montreal are desperate to get him off the wage bill when his contract runs out at the end of the season.

That will leave the 33-year-old with various options to explore but what is available to him?

Stay in MLS

The first and perhaps easy option for Wanyama would be to extend his stay in the MLS where he has been for the last five years.

Familiarity with the league, weather and players is likely to be appealing to Wanyama and the fact that his family is settled there cannot also be ruled out.

With his experience, Wanyama will not run out of options in the MLS given the number of teams that would benefit from his knowhow but he might have to reduce his salary demands to land a great deal at one of the clubs in the United States.

Return to Europe

Wanyama is among the players who made waves in Europe especially during his stints in Scotland with Celtic as well as England with Southampton and Tottenham and there are likely to be clubs looking to add him to their squad.

A Premier League return, however, looks a stretch too far, but a stint in the second tier Championship or Scotland where he became a cult hero at Celtic could be on the cards.

There are also a number of teams in Italy, France, Portugal and Turkey who could take a chance on Wanyama to boost their midfield as he enters the final years of his career.

Middle East

MLS and China were the favourite destinations for players coming to the end of their careers but mega rich Saudi, Qatari and UAE clubs are now changing that. In fact, Saudi clubs are now attracting top players still in their prime.

Wanyama could perhaps decide to sample what the Gulf has to offer and a link up with Michael Olunga in Qatar, or a stint in Saudi Arabia, whether in the top flight or second division, could be appealing given the big pay cheques on offer in those two countries.

Return to Kenya

Highly unlikely but could the “Lion of Muthurwa” make a sensational return to where it all started?

Wanyama briefly played for Nairobi City Stars and AFC Leopards in the formative years of his career and Ingwe fans would be over the moon if he made the decision to pay back with a final hurrah.

However, this can only happen if Wanyama decides to think with his heart and offer to share some of his experience with local players as Leopards or any other Kenyan side cannot afford him.

Dennis Oliech already proved that it can happen following his stint at Gor Mahia in 2019 but it would be a major shock to see Wanyama back in the Kenyan league.

Retirement, perhaps?

Another decision not likely to happen soon is Wanyama hanging up his boots unless he feels that his body cannot take it anymore.

Unlike his brother McDonald Mariga, who was dogged by injuries in his final years, forcing him to retire, Wanyama does not have a history on injury setbacks.

He keeps himself in good shape and is always available for selection, meaning he would still have that burning desire to continue turning out on the pitch.

However, the frustrations of sitting on the bench in the last one-and-a-half years might have got Wanyama thinking whether he is still useful and could be one of the reasons that make him call time on his highly successful career to focus on other duties and interests.