TRANSFER TRACKER STATUS: Reports
Atlanta United's door may soon be set to revolve some more. The 2018 MLS Cup winners are close to landing two South American players according to various reports, which come shortly after Julian Gressel’s trade to D.C. United and amid reports of Hector Villalba being sold to Paraguayan side Club Libertad.
One solution could arise via Paraguayan defender Santiago Arzamendia, according to Mundo Cerro, while Brazilian outlet Tretis is reporting that discussions are ongoing with midfielder Matheus Rossetto.
Arzamendia, 22, plays for Cerro Porteno in Paraguay and is currently with the U-23 national team at Conmebol Pre-Olympic qualifiers. Any move would reportedly come after that tournament wraps up. Arzamendia has earned two caps for Paraguay’s senior national team and primarily plays at left back.
Rossetto, 23, plays for Brazilian club Atletico Paranaense in an attacking role. The report from Tretis states that a deal is imminent after the club’s president approved the move, with final details remaining.
It’s been a busy offseason for Atlanta, who have also lost defender Leandro Gonzalez Pirez (transfer) and midfielder Darlington Nagbe (trade) as major pieces of last year’s starting XI. LGP’s departure had an immediate replacement via center back Fernando Meza, while other moves are still materializing.
Atlanta will begin their second season under head coach Frank de Boer on Feb. 18 at Motagua in Concacaf Champions League play. Their MLS opener arrives Feb. 29 at expansion side Nashville SC.
