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Toward the end of November, the New York Red Bulls announced they had declined to pick up contract options for both Karl Ouimette and Ronald Zubar. But the club also let it be known it was looking into bringing Zubar back on revised terms.
A positive Instagram message suggested the player was getting ready for another season with RBNY.
But Zubar's most recent comments on the subject of his future are less encouraging.
In an interview with FootMercato.com, Zubar spoke warmly of his time with RBNY:
I left for the project of the club, but being in the Big Apple is the best
He even suggested that French soccer could learn a few things about selling itself from MLS, but he also noted that the club was seeking to reduce his salary and he was hoping for "a common ground for an extension over several years".
As one might expect of any player negotiating for a new deal, Zubar did not fail to explain he has options:
I am open to a return to Europe. I have already started talking to club leaders about a possible new challenge. So I can leave if I want and sign elsewhere.
Indeed, he says he already has at least one offer:
I met a French club in Ligue 2, which offered me something interesting . We will see how it will happen.
Zubar said he's looking for a "long-term project", having reached a point in his life where he must consider what is best for his family. The prospect of late-career club-hopping holds no joy for him: "I'm not a mercenary, I like to stabilize with my family".
So the defender's return to RBNY is by no means certain. As a nostalgic Tweet to a fan of Caen - the club at which he started his career - suggests, Zubar's head might be in contract negotiations with the Red Bulls, but his heart might prefer to be at home:
@Guillaume_Papin @Melanie_B_Caen @footmercato @SMCaen si cela dépendait que de moi j'y serai deja à la Maison#SMC#Home❤
— zubar Ronald (@zubarronald) December 23, 2016