TRANSFER TRACKER STATUS:Report
Several MLS teams have explored acquiring FC Cincinnati midfielder Frankie Amaya via trade, according to The Athletic’s Paul Tenorio. However, the promising 20-year-old is set to stay with Cincinnati.
According to Tenorio, two unnamed teams were going to pay more than what Columbus Crew SC sent to Atlanta United to acquire midfielder Darlington Nagbe ahead of their MLS Cup-winning season. Nagbe came to Columbus for $1.05 in allocation money, plus a 2020 international roster spot.
Amaya is entering his third MLS season after being selected No. 1 overall in 2019 MLS SuperDraft. The UCLA product and US youth international has one goal in 40 appearances (36 starts), showing encouraging glimpses of two-way play.
But, based on Tenorio’s reporting, it seems as though FC Cincinnati rate Amaya and view him as part of their long-term plans. He’s entering his second season of playing under head coach Jaap Stam, starting all but two games during their 2020 campaign.
FC Cincinnati are entering their third MLS season and still seek their first Audi MLS Cup Playoffs appearance. Amaya seems likely to factor into any turnaround, though other clubs appear keenly interested in investing in his services.
