With Atlanta United set to face Chattanooga FC in a preseason friendly on Saturday, the big question — or questions — surround the team’s reported pursuit of former club icon Miguel Almiron and Middlesbrough striker Emmanuel Latte Lath.
On Thursday, Garth Lagerwey stopped by 92.9 The Game’s midday show with Andy Bunker and Randy McMichael at the Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Training Ground and provided a little insight on what the timing may look like around filling Atlanta’s two designated player spots.
“We got our quarterback in Alexey Miranchuk … but we know we need to get some wide receivers, we need to get some left tackles, we need to get some defensive ends, some of these high-priced guys that come in and can really, really help the team, impact the team, and win games for us,” he said.
Lagerwey noted that with the European transfer window closing on February 3, clubs will favor holding on to players as long as they can to get the best possible offer.
But those clubs won’t want to wait too long, though.
“What I think is going to happen, and this is a best guess, Saturday is going to be the last round of games for most teams before the window closes. There’ll be one more round of games that next Saturday, to be clear, but that’s really pushing it too late,” Lagerwey said. “The next ten days are going to be exciting, I think.”
Obviously, no names were shared, but there’s a specific type of player that the club’s keen to sign.
“We’re going to sign attackers and proven winners, and guys you’ll be able to look at and be like, ‘Why did Atlanta United sign this guy? Oh, it’s because he scored this many goals and he has this many assists, and he’s played for this long that I’ve heard of and I’ve watched on TV’,” Lagerwey added.
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Cue American football Hail Mary free kick play from Ted Lasso
We will be the most physical team in MLS lol.
Based upon what I am reading elsewhere, I fully expect Miggy to be back. Not as positive yet about Latte.
Everything I’ve seen concerning ELL is that Boro is holding out for any offers from EPL teams.
Currently AU is the big dog in the room and no one else is offering as much we are. So, if no top tier club steps up, I think it’ll get done if the player agrees to terms once Boro accepts AU’s offer but it may mean we won’t have him on opening day considering visas and all.
Yeah, I read that We are the only offer they actually have in hand right now, plus we are offering the player a big raise. Boro continues to play him, though, and I would guess they don’t *have* to accept our offer even if it is the only one or biggest one.
They could just keep him, I suppose.
Right now, it looks like if they do sell him to someone it will be us. I’m just not certain they will sell him to anyone, though.
Fingers crossed. I really do not want to go into the season with Thiare as our starter up top. Don’t get me wrong… I love the guy’s hustle and heart but want someone who is rippling the net on a near every match basis.
Sad that he thinks the listener base is too stupid to understand soccer and so he decided to use American Football terminology.
Think some context is needed here – it was Randy McMichael who asked him the question so that explains the football lingo
Is he a pro wrassler?
McMichael played in the NFL for Miami and played his college football at UGA.
It was Atlanta sports talk radio. Using the analogy that 95% of their audience understands is okay.
It was also on the flagship station for Atlanta United. If McMichael doesn’t understand the terms for soccer positions, he should just play along and let Andy ask the soccer-specific questions.
Yep. Well said.
I’ll be honest, I think I understood less from his analogy than if he just said what positions he thinks we still need. Lol
Sad that people look to any reason to be insulted or find fault!
pretty ridiculous that European transfer window closes on 02/03, but MLS transfer window opens 01/31…that is crazy
Please explain: if the mls window opens on the 31st, I don’t understand how come several clubs have announced European transfers?
The transfer is done but technically doesn’t become official within the league until the 31st.
still stupid considering MLS season starts in less than a month, but we can’t add needed players because of the stupid transfer window opening less than a month before the season starting