REPORT: Pozuelo traded to Miami as Bernardeschi to Toronto FC heats up
TORONTO – Toronto FC's magnificent renaissance is seemingly nowhere near its conclusion.
Fresh off the signing of Lorenzo Insigne from Napoli and Domenico Criscito from Genoa, the Reds have been linked with another Italian international, as soon-to-be-free-agent Federico Bernardeschi is set to join the Canadian outfit on a free transfer, according to Taylor Twellman of ESPN FC.
But with only three total Designated Player spots available to each team, and Toronto's three spots already in use, more moves will need to be made.
Last week on OneSoccer Today, Gareth Wheeler reported interest in acquiring Pozuelo, as Bob Bradley's side continues to rebuild.
REPORT 🚨
— OneSoccer (@onesoccer) July 5, 2022
Could we see even more big moves out of Toronto FC camp? 👀@GarethWheeler reports that "#MLS clubs across the league have genuine interest in acquiring Pozuelo." ✅
WATCH (FULL) ▶️ | #TFClive https://t.co/1t5q9FBMMn pic.twitter.com/YeTJ20AvoB
Now, the Guardian's Fabrizio Romano reports that 2020 league MVP Alejandro Pozuelo has been traded to Inter Miami. ESPN's Jeff Carlisle adds that Toronto FC would be getting $150,000 in allocation money in exchange, with the real prize being the open DP spot in the team's roster, for a player whose contract was set to expire and could have left the club with no return.
The Spanish attacking midfielder, who joined Toronto FC in 2019, has made 100 appearances in all competitions for the Reds, scoring 30 goals. A trade to Miami represents the latest in a series of big moves for a club looking to rediscover the magic of its 2016-2018 run, spearheaded by Italian international Sebastian Giovinco.
👀 Looking through Pozuelo's Instagram follows, not only is he following IMCF but also a popular South Florida culture page "Only in Dade."
— Alex Windley (@aaw_1998) July 5, 2022
He's also following Phil Neville and two Miami real estate accounts. #InterMiamiCF https://t.co/2zljvhIzbr pic.twitter.com/boPw8qNeA0
Pozuelo was recently photographed in Miami, and also recently began following Inter Miami on Instagram – a modern sign of a potential trade in the works.
Toronto may not be done wheeling and dealing just yet, though.
This season's new centre-back addition, Carlos Salcedo, has been spotted in Mexico, with rumours of a potential move to the likes of Tigres UANL and Pachuca being floated.
The Mexican international represents the third of Toronto FC's three Designated Players.
UPDATE – In another development, Toronto FC has also been linked by TSN to Canadian international Mark-Anthony Kaye, as the club looks to potentially strike a trade deal with the Colorado Rapids to reunite Kaye with Bradley, whom he played for at LAFC.
Kaye, a Toronto local, played for the TFC Academy as well as TFC III and TFC II, but ultimately joined LAFC for his first steps in MLS.
Since then, he has been an MLS mainstay in midfield, and has also been a regular call-up to John Herdman's CanMNT. However, a deal has yet to be reached, and other central midfield options are also being considered, so we'll keep an eye on this story as it develops.
Lots of discussions taking place on a number of different players. And multiple names continue to be linked. But any potential deal for Kaye is being described as being “not close”. https://t.co/PtP34CaCZj
— Gareth Wheeler (@GarethWheeler) July 6, 2022
