TRANSFER TRACKER STATUS: Reports
As their 2019 squad reports for the start of preseason on Monday, the Vancouver Whitecaps are getting busy on the transfer market, if a range of media reports around the world are to be believed.
ProSoccerUSA says Guinean winger Lass Bangoura is on his way to Vancouver from La Liga side Rayo Vallecano, and provides a detailed breakdown of the player’s background and attributes, including statistical comparisons to the man he’s likely been identified to replace, Alphonso Davies.
Bangoura himself gave credence to the link by posting, on Instagram, an image of a Whitecaps game at BC Place alongside a message about his move from Madrid to British Columbia:
Vancouver are also said to be pursuing Brazilian wide man Lucas Venuto, a 24-year-old currently at FK Austria Wien but entering the final months of a contract that expires this summer.
Austrian outlets have also linked the player to New York City FC, and former Argentina and Chile manager Jorge Sampaoli’s new project at Brazilian club Santos. The latest news, however, seems to suggest that new Whitecaps head coach Marc Dos Santos will close the deal for Venuto, who carries Red Bull DNA from stints at RB Leipzig and Red Bull Brasil.
Meanwhile, Dos Santos appears to be nearing the acquisition of Canadian-Chilean fullback Juan Cordova, 23, from top-flight Chilean side Huachipato. A dual national who played in Chile’s youth national team system before switching allegiance to Canada and making his senior CanMNT debut in 2017, Cordova would join the ‘Caps on a yearlong loan with an option to buy.
