Atlanta United are adding another major designated player to their attack, set to sign Switzerland star Breel Embolo.
The acquisition from Stade Rennes will cost the club around $18 million according to Tom Bogert of The Athletic, making it one of the top five most expensive incoming MLS transfers of all time.
The 29-year-old had 10 goals and three assists in 34 appearances last season. He has spent his entire 12-year professional career in Europe, in the Swiss Super League, Bundesliga and Ligue 1.
He is expected to play striker between fellow DPs Miguel Almiron and Alexey Miranchuk, potentially forming one of the most dangerous attacking trios in MLS. Miranchuk scored the first Atlanta goal in a 2-1 win over Toronto FC at BMO Field in April.
Embolo had two goals and two assists in Switzerland’s run to the World Cup quarterfinals. Switzerland topped Canada’s group and played their first two knockout matches in Vancouver after stealing first place from the co-hosts on the final day of the group stage. In total he has 26 goals in 92 international appearances and has been a regular for the team at major tournaments.
Embolo was controversially sent off in that quarterfinal defeat to eventual finalists Argentina, receiving a second yellow card for diving after a play that it was extensively argued should not have been reviewed in the first place. He also had issues entering the United States with his teammates at first after a visa issue that resolved after a couple of days.
Bogert also reported Friday that former Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez was also on Atlanta’s shopping list among other high-profile targets before they settled on Embolo.
Atlanta United have never been afraid to splash the cash to get the man they want, and will have five signings in the top 10 most expensive in league history if this one goes through. Last year they paid $22 million for Emmanuel Latte Lath — who was recently loaned to Union Berlin to free up a DP slot after not really working out in MLS as hoped. A trio of Argentinians — Thiago Almada, Pity Martínez and Esequiel Barco — all cost between $15-16 million, with Almada and Martinez later flipped again for profit.
More to come.