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It truly has been a breathless week to be an Orlando City SC fan with Dom Dwyer’s sensational return galvanising the club’s supporter base again.
Hot on the heels of that news was Thursday’s headline that the Lions have rejected a bid from Turkish giants Beşiktaş for star striker Cyle Larin.
Unsurprisingly, Dom Dwyer has been seen by many as a direct replacement for Cyle Larin but when journalist Simon Veness pushed Alex Leitão on this during Dom’s unveiling, our Brazilian CEO was bullish.
Reiterating that Dom Dwyer‘s arrival won’t cripple the club’s financial standing with structured payments in place, it would appear that Cyle Larin isn’t going anywhere… for now anyway!
Only €1.5 million?
European clubs’ interest in Cyle Larin is nothing new but so far, no single club has offered an irresistible deal to Orlando City SC.
It would appear Beşiktaş’ failed offer was around the €1.5 million mark with Turkish source Fanatik reporting this fee on Wednesday.
The Istanbul giants have won the Turkish Süper Lig for the last two consecutive seasons and would be able to offer Cyle Larin Champions League football in 2017/18 – a dream for any professional.
However, after being personally recommended to Beşiktaş’ transfer hierarchy by Larin’s Canadian international team-mate and current Black Eagles midfielder Atiba Hutchinson, their swoop has failed.
Alvaro the alternative?
While time will tell whether Beşiktaş make a second improved offer for Cyle Larin, it’s true that Şenol Güneş’ side have their eyes on another striker.
That man is Valencia’s Alvaro Negredo who is widely tipped to leave the La Liga side following a loan spell at Premier League Middlesbrough in 2016/17.
As revealed in a report by Football Espana lately, Beşiktaş’ own president Fikret Orman has admitted himself that the club are pursuing Negredo.
Every Orlando City SC supporter will be hoping that Beşiktaş complete a deal for the Spaniard while giving up on their Cyle Larin pursuit altogether.
The prospect of Cyle Larin and Dom Dwyer playing up front together is tantalising for City fans and provides more than enough reason to believe we can make the MLS Cup Playoffs at the third attempt.