Atlanta United won’t be overaggressive in the summer transfer window

The hectic summer transfer window opens virtually worldwide at some point next week. Teams from all over the world will be looking to bolster their squads and MLS is no different. Most MLS clubs are looking to strengthen their sides for the playoff race to come.

However, Atlanta United are in a different boat. This will be the first transfer window where they will be consciously looking to add players for their inaugural roster for 2017.

While most fans are hoping for an exciting summer of new additions, the club’s technical director, Carlos Bocanegra, tells the AJC’s Doug Roberson that they won’t just sign players to sign them.

“…we aren’t going to force any transactions,” Bocanegra said.

History tells us that if a big named player will join the club for their first competitive match in March, they’ll need to be signed during this transfer window. For example, New York City FC inked David Villa to a deal in June of 2014 before their first season. Also, Orlando City signed Kaka in the same month. Both were loaned out for a half of a season before joining their respective teams.

The winter transfer window is usually reserved for European teams unloading players they don’t want or trying to improve. Acquiring a difference maker seems more logical to do in this upcoming window than waiting until the last minute.

If the club are going to sign a high-profile player you can expect it to happen in this window. But they don’t appear to be in a hurry and won’t sign players just for the sake of doing it.