The Daily Dirt, December 15: Verbal agreement for Romero?

According to La Nación in Paraguay, Racing Club has reached a verbal agreement with Atlanta United for Oscar Romero’s transfer. They report that the deal is for $9 million. $1.2 million would go to Cerro Porteño, who likely had a sell-on clause in their transfer with Racing Club in January 2015.

Yesterday, Jeff Carlisle of ESPN echoed Andres Rolon’s report from Paraguay that the deal was in the $6-7 million range with Romero earning approximately $2 million in salary in Atlanta. Over the summer, rumors linked Romero to the Seattle Sounders and New York Red Bulls, as well as Fenerbahçe in Turkey.

Romero played in Racing’s last match, a 2-0 loss to Olimpo, on December 10. They are scheduled to play Saturday afternoon at Unión Santa Fe. He has played every game this season with Racing, who are in eighth place in the standings.

ESPN Brazil’s Gustavo Zupak is also reporting that Atlanta has shown an interest in 32-year-old Paraguayan forward Lucas Barrios, currently with Palmeiras.

Domestic

According to the Columbus Dispatch, it’s too bad Columbus and Michael Parkhurst had to part ways (Columbus Dispatch)

Ola Kamara has interest from England (Metro)

Columbus academy players attracting national team interest (Massive Report)

Who should Portland target in MLS Free Agency? (Stumptown Footy)

Former Minnesota goalkeeper could find a new home in Utah (RSL Soapbox)

A look at Orlando’s new supporters’ section (Top Drawer Soccer)

D.C. United to launch USL team in 2018 (Washington Post)

San Jose to host next U.S. World Cup qualifier against Honduras in March (ESPN)

Detroit among the cities chasing new MLS clubs (Detroit News)

International

Offer to Oscar on the table from China to make him the third highest paid player in the world (The Times)

One of the greatest games I’ve ever seen happened 10 years ago yesterday to decide the Argentine champion:

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