MUTCH ADO ABOUT… SOMETHING
Vancouver Whitecaps are in “advanced” negotiations to acquire Crystal Palace midfielder Jordon Mutch, ESPN FC reports.
ESPN’s Peter O’Rourke states that Vancouver are “confident” they’ll soon finalise a move for the former England U-21 international, who was reportedly close to moving to English Championship club Bolton Wanderers before England’s transfer window shut earlier this week.
Mutch, 26, hasn’t made a single appearance with Crystal Palace this year, and has only made the bench three times for the Premier League club. He had his best season in the 2013-14 campaign, when he recorded seven goals in 35 EPL appearances for Cardiff City. He’s played sparingly ever since, receiving limited time with Queens Park Rangers before moving to Crystal Palace in January 2015.
AMRO TAREK SIGNS FOR ORLANDO CITY
Orlando City have brought in defender Amro Tarek on a one-year loan from Egyptian Premier League team Wadi Degla FC, with a club option to buy.
Tarek, 25, is a Los Angeles-born Egyptian international, having played as both a centre back and left back in his career.
Starting his professional career in Germany, Tarek played in the reserve teams for FC Magdeburg, SC Freiburg and VfL Wolfsburg between 2010-13. He then played in Egypt for El Gouna, before heading to Spain and signing for Real Betis. While under contract there, he was loaned to Columbus Crew SC in 2016, making one appearance, before transferring to another club in Egypt, ENPPI, and then moving to Wadi Degla last year.
“We are pleased to welcome Amro on loan. He’s an athletic left-footed centre back who will add competition to our defensive group. His familiarity with MLS and hunger to succeed will allow him to transition well into Orlando,” Lions general manager Niki Budalic said in a club statement.
Tarek, who grew up in Egypt, made his senior international debut for The Pharaohs on March 28, 2017 in a 3-0 friendly win over Togo.
RED BULLS WAIVE KEITA (NOT THAT ONE)
New York Red Bulls have waived midfielder Muhamed Keita, the club announced over the weekend, as they attempt to remain within international roster spot restrictions.
“On behalf of the organization, I’d like to thank Muhamed for his time with the club,” Red Bulls sporting director Denis Hamlett said in a club statement. “We wish him all the best as he moves forward with his career.”
Keita, 27, had only made seven appearances for the Red Bulls since joining the team from Polish club Lech Poznan last Summer. The signing of Venezuelan youth international Cristian Casseres Jr. and reported pursuit of Argentine winger Alejandro Romero Gamarra would leave the Red Bulls needing to part ways with someone to get under the international roster spot limit.
Any Other Business…
Atlanta United are reportedly making a $9 million offer to buy Uruguayan left back Lucas Olaza from Argentine side Talleres de Cordoba, according to Argentine outlet Talleres Alma Albiazul… Egyptian international forward Amr Gamal is drawing interest from both MLS and the Russian Premier League, according to a South African report.
