Atlanta United targeting big names in Mexico, Argentina for third DP spot

Atlanta United look destined to fill their third Designated Player roster spot before the beginning of their inaugural season. After losing out on Racing Club’s Oscar Romero to a bid from China, they seem to have kept their sights focused on Latin America to fill the spot.

According to Ives Galarcep, United are in pursuit of their third DP and are focusing on “big-ticket targets” in Mexico and Argentina.

Atlanta United's pursuit of a third designated player continues, and sources tell Goal USA that the expansion team has big-ticket targets in Argentina and Mexico it is considering.

So far, both of Atlanta’s DPs have come from Argentina’s first division. The overall theme of the roster being built for Tata Martino has a very South American feel to it, so signing another impact player from his home country makes sense.

However, it’s the Liga MX link that is very intriguing. Just this week Club America put two star players on their transfer list. After their loss to Tigres in the Liga MX final, they made both Darwin Quintero and Rubens Sambueza available. Sambueza has already transferred to Toluca, but Quintero seems to still be there for the taking.

There were also some Twitter rumblings that the club were interested in Tigres’ Lucas Zelarayan.

As of now, there doesn’t seem to be a specific target in mind, but their certainly seems to be a profile. South American/Mexican, Attacking, Young(ish). You can bet on the third DP fitting that mold when one is signed. For now, we’re in wait and see mode to see which player the club sets its sights on.