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According to multiple reports out of Argentina, Atlanta United are “very close” to signing a highly rated attacking midfielder.
TyC Sports reports that Gonzalo “Pity” Martinez is in negotiations to join the Five Stripes during the winter transfer market as a possible replacement for Miguel Almiron.
Gonzalo Martínez, muy cerca de ser vendido al Atlanta de la MLS. Como seguramente Almirón se vaya a Europa, el club inglés avanzó para comprar al "Pity" en un cifra cercana a los 15 millones de euros limpios de su cláusula. Vía @EstudioFutbol pic.twitter.com/e45Vcp413D
— César Luis Merlo (@CLMerlo) October 2, 2018
Initial reports say that Atlanta would trigger Martinez’s €15 million release clause from current club River Plate.
El Diario goes even further to say that Pity’s representatives have met with Atlanta officials in recent days and that the deal is “very close.” Their report also indicated that the club has lined up the move with the expectation that Almiron would be sold to Europe.
Martinez is a 25-year-old dynamic attacking player with the ability to play on either wing or as an attacking midfielder. He joined River Plate from Huracan in 2015 and has scored 20 goals in 91 appearances. In September, Martinez received his first two caps for Argentina.
So what do we make of this rumor?
This seems like exactly the type of player Atlanta United would be looking to acquire. He’s a bit older than their usual targets, but he seems a lot more polished as a player and could become a top player sooner than most signings. Stay tuned and we’ll update when possible.