Manny Lagos teased fans on Tuesday with glimpses from his scouting trip with new Loons head coach, Adrian Heath. The two are on a weeklong adventure in Argentina to scout “eight or nine” players on their combined shopping lists.
Just a few pictures of Adrian and I on the road! Can you guess where we are? pic.twitter.com/yxNELU57S9
— Manny Lagos (@Manny_Lagos) December 6, 2016
Before the trip, Heath said there were no specific positions they were targeting, but Atlanta United’s recent marquee signing of a young prospect in Miguel Almirón for $8 million will understandably have fans clamoring for some sort of flashy attacking player to join Lagos and Heath on the return flight.
Bonus video! pic.twitter.com/SYK2YLMly4
— Manny Lagos (@Manny_Lagos) December 6, 2016
This urgency is completely understandable. The club has 26 players left to sign in the roughly ten weeks between now and January’s training camp. While the Expansion Draft could produce five starters or role players and the SuperDraft will give four spots to work with, there’s over a dozen places to fill. Trips like this need to be productive for the short-term and beyond.
As one source with close understanding of the team indicated, the Loons are likely looking for immediate impact players, rather than young prospects. And while Heath appeared position-agnostic before the trip, they will also likely be looking for their own Diego Valeri. Portland Timbers brought in the Argentinian playmaker from the Buenos Aires club Lanús at first on loan in 2013, then the club purchased his contract eight months later. This loan with an option to buy is likely another tool that Minnesota United will use to hedge their bets.
The Loons duo have taken in five matches so far:
Quilmes vs Sarmiento
Tigre vs Aldosivi
Estudiantes vs Tallerese Cordoba
Independiente vs River Plate
Boca vs Racing reserve
We’ll give a few targets from these matches over the coming days. In the meantime, fire up your Football Manager Scouts and sleuth away. Who do you want the Loons to come home with?
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