On Tuesday, TyC Sports claimed Orlando City SC are negotiating a free loan with an option to buy for River Plate left back Nahuel Gallardo.
In a translated version of the original article, it read: “Orlando City is analysing the possibility of negotiating with River for the loan of Nahuel Gallardo.”
TyC Sports is an Argentine pay television sports channel, based in Buenos Aires.
The channel regularly broadcasts Argentine B Nacional games, CONMEBOL Qualifiers, and Argentina national football team friendly matches.
So far this year, Orlando City SC are yet to make any mid-season signings in MLS.
However, reported interest in Nahuel Gallardo seems realistic considering our greatest need for reinforcements is at left back.
With João Moutinho in and out of the team, and Kyle Smith deputising at left back, albeit admirably, it appears time to recruit another left-footed specialist.
Orlando City UK found out a little more about Nahuel Gallardo, the man reportedly interesting the Orlando City SC Front Office.
Who is Nahuel Gallardo?
Nahuel Gallardo is a 23-year-old Argentine left back and son of Argentine football legend Marcelo Gallardo.
Marcelo senior represented D.C. United in MLS between 2008 and 2009, and is still currently head coach of River Plate.
Nahuel currently plays for Buenos Aires giants River Plate. However, he recently completed a loan spell with Defensa y Justicia in 2020/21.
This year-and-a-half loan spell expired on June 30. As for Nahuel Gallardo’s current River Plate contract, this expires on June 30, 2022.
A graduate of River Plate’s academy system, Nahuel Gallardo was promoted to Los Millonarios‘ senior squad back in October 2017.
Called up by his father Marcelo for an Argentine Primera División match with Talleres, it was a tough baptism.
Playing the full 90 minutes, this game was a 4-0 defeat at Estadio Mario Alberto Kempes.
According to Transfermarkt, Nahuel Gallardo is left-footed as you’d expect, and stands at 5 ft 10 in.
Just like fellow Argentine Rodrigo Schlegel before him, Nahuel Gallardo is another young professional looking for consistent first team minutes.
Since 2017, Gallardo has only made 25 senior appearances in his career.
Seven of these were under his father at River Plate with 18 more on loan at Defensa y Justicia.
Do Orlando City SC need Nahuel Gallardo?
In a word, yes.
Recruiting Jonathan Suárez in February before that move was ill-fated, the Lions were heavily linked with Vasco da Gama’s Henrique in April.
From these movements alone, it appears the Orlando City SC Front Office have been chasing left back reinforcements for a while.
With the first choice João Moutinho not fit enough for consistent minutes in MLS this season, solid cover is required.
The dependable Kyle Smith has proved versatile enough to put in impressive performances at left back so far this season.
Nevertheless, another left-footed specialist is required. Dependable as Smith is, Orlando City SC lack natural attacking balance and impetus from the left flank when Moutinho is unavailable.
If signed, Nahuel Gallardo would become the third Argentine to represent Orlando City SC after Matías Pérez García and Rodrigo Schlegel.