Several hours ago the rumor cycle exploded when rumor started that Deportivo Independiente Medellín was signing Nelson Haedo Valdez. People stated that he was on a plane to meet them in Colombia (they're in Miami right now). People stated that it was going to be announced Monday.
Segun Gustavo Osorio, Nelson Haedo Valdez es nuevo jugador del DIM pic.twitter.com/0l1HlMNi60
— Santiago. (@santiago01118) January 17, 2016
It kept growing. DIM fans changed his Spanish language Wikipedia page. Few of the DIM fans could say which journalist was the source. When a source was named, there was nothing from the source saying things.
Still, there was Sounders fan-angst. With the Morris news looking sad people didn't want to lose another key player. It didn't matter that DIM couldn't afford him.
Just spoke to someone close to Haedo Valdez . Tole me rumor of him going to Colombia is totally false. "rumor of press" he said. #LetsSee
— Juan Arango (@JuanG_Arango) January 17, 2016
When the rumor cycle takes a life of its own it is hard to squash. But, there is a way to make it stop. The player can speak out. Valdez did.
Rumours:I'm proud to be a Sounder and very happy in Seattle.Don't want to raise sb's hopes or disappoint my fans! pic.twitter.com/0UGra07ohh
— Nelson Haedo Valdez (@Haedo18Valdez9) January 18, 2016
There may be valid reasons to move Valdez. If a team hits a decent number on the buyout it would open up a DP spot and the associated cap space. Seattle could use that in a part of the field where it doesn't have its two best players and its three best prospects (two of those aren't Jordan Morris).
Theoretically it makes sense. But not to DIM. And now another rumor can be put to bed, until it wakes up in a couple days.