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Update Feb. 22, 3:46 p.m.
The transfer deal for Lautaro Giannetti lingered for a while, but after the player didn’t train today, the deal finally got done according to Felipe Cardenas at The Athletic.
Hearing that Lautaro Giannetti to Atlanta United is done, pending final paperwork. #ATLUTD has acquired 100% of Giannetti's rights. The fee has not been disclosed.
— Felipe Cárdenas (@FelipeCar) February 23, 2021
Giannetti did not train w/ Vélez today as the deal was being finalized.
Update Feb. 18 7:20 p.m.
Velez Sarsfield have accepted an offer from Atlanta United for center back Lautaro Giannetti, according to Argentine reporter German Garcia Grova.
Lautaro Gianetti, a un paso de jugar en #AtlantaUnited.
— Germán García Grova (@GerGarciaGrova) February 19, 2021
#Velez acaba de aceptar la oferta del equipo estadounidense. Mañana ultimarán detalles.
❗️Hace días Heinze se comunicó con el jugador para hacerle conocer su intención.
Data con @AlcainG pic.twitter.com/3kbnuzFhEG
Details will reportedly be finalized tomorrow before Giannetti travels to Atlanta ahead of reporting to training camp/covid protocol next week. The center back fills the shoes of the departing Fernando Meza, who leaves the club for Defensa y Justicia.
Atlanta United seem destined to sign a centerback before the 2021 season starts. The latest name to emerge as a candidate is one Gabriel Heinze knows very well. Velez Sarsfield defender Lautaro Giannetti has caught the attention of the Atlanta United technical staff, according to The Athletic’s Felipe Cardenas.
Hearing from multiple sources that Atlanta United are targeting Vélez Sarsfield center back Lautaro Giannetti.
— Felipe Cárdenas (@FelipeCar) February 17, 2021
On Friday, I mentioned Giannetti as a strong option for #ATLUTD's back line. https://t.co/bzkfeQ19Or pic.twitter.com/un36LRrX8m
Giannetti is a 27-year-old centerback who has spent his entire professional career at Velez. Which means he was there for Heinze’s whole tenure at the club and is someone who the new Atlanta manager thinks would improve his squad. He was a regular starter for the side in Heinze’s last season before departing.
Atlanta have already made a valiant attempt at bringing in a starting caliber centerback when they made an offer for Hector David Martinez. They likely would’ve pulled off the move if River Plate hadn’t decided they wanted him too. It now appears the Five Stripes have their sights set on another target. Let’s see if this one plays out a little more favorably.