TRANSFER TRACKER STATUS:Reports
Seattle Sounders GM Garth Lagerwey has taken some heat for a lack of big impact moves this offseason, but according to reports from several Brazilian outlets, he's getting closer to adding Botafogo defensive midfielder Joao Paulo.
Sounder At Heart explains some of the financials of the reported deal, which may hinge upon the details of the not-yet-ratified new MLS collective bargaining agreement. The SB nation site also notes that the 28-year-old has actually played a bit further up the field during his club career, but has defensive stats that suggest he would perform well at the positon.
He could pair with Gustav Svensson while Cristian Roldan moves out to the right wing, though Joao Paulo has also played wide right occasionally.
Joao Paulo has 125 appearances in Brazil's Serie A and 19 more in South American continental football over his career, which has been played entirely in Brazil. He's been with Botafogo the past three seasons, helping the Rio de Janiero-based side finish 10th in 2017 and ninth in 2018 in the nation's top flight.
