Rumor: Atlanta United negotiating for Paraguayan midfielder Mathias Villasanti

After a week of rumors signaling that players could be on their way out of Atlanta United in the winter transfer window, Juanma Figueredo of ABC TV Paraguay says the club is actively negotiating to bring in Cerro Porteño midfielder Mathias Villasanti. The Paraguayan would command a transfer fee, though it’s uncertain at this point what his signing would cost.

Villasanti, 22, is a defensive-minded central midfielder who recently became a full international for the Paraguayan national team. Villasanti was a staple in Cerro Porteño’s 2019 team that finished third in the most recent Clausura and second in the Apertura, making 31 starts and 36 total appearances. It’s an impressive breakout season for the midfielder after having spent 2018 on loan, getting regular top flight minutes for the first time in his young career at Sportivo Luqueño.

As far as Villasanti’s player profile, he’s a combative midfielder that strikes a balance between protecting his center backs and making bursting forward into space. He has a calm head and looks to use his composure and tidiness help the team build possession once the ball has been won.