Update, Feb. 6: Franco Escobar's loan from Atlanta United back to former club Newell's Old Boys is a done deal, according to Felipe Cardenas of The Athletic, who shared the latest update on Twitter on Saturday. Per Cardenas, it's a one-year loan deal with an option to buy and Escobar has signed off on the move.
TRANSFER TRACKER STATUS: Report
Atlanta United defender Franco Escobar is reportedly the subject of interest from former club Newell’s Old Boys, according to the latest from Cesar Luis Merlo and The Athletic’s Felipe Cardenas.
There’s reportedly been a formal offer made for Escobar, who joined the Five Stripes from the Argentine Primera Division club ahead of the 2018 season.
Since coming to MLS, the 25-year-old has featured in 63 regular-season games, chipping in two goals and five assists while contributing at outside back and center back. Escobar also has three goals and one assist in eight Audi MLS Cup Playoff games, memorably scoring the second goal of Atlanta’s 2-0 win over the Portland Timbers in 2018’s MLS Cup.
While at Newell’s Old Boys, Escobar played in 34 games from 2015-17. Mainly a right back, he’s also been deployed centrally and shown great tactical flexibility during his MLS tenure.
Atlanta are entering a new chapter in 2021, naming Gabriel Heinze as head coach after he departed Velez Sarsfield. They’re looking to rebound after missing the postseason for the first time since joining MLS as an expansion team in 2017.
