Seeing a $10 million offer for Julián Álvarez turned down, more rumours have surfaced linking Orlando City SC with a swoop for another Argentine instead – Facundo Farías.
According to journalist Hernán Castillo, he tweeted on Saturday that Colón are ready to accept an $8 million (plus bonuses) offer for Facundo Farías.
Tal lo contado ayer, ante la negativa de River por Julián Alvarez, el Orlando City fue por Facundo Farías y ya elevó la oferta original: ahora se estira a 8 millones de dólares más bonus. Colón aceptaría
— Hernán Castillo (@HernanSCastillo) July 31, 2021
Then, on Sunday, football commentator Juan Arango corroborated that Facundo Farías is headed to Orlando City SC.
Interestingly, Arango’s tweet stated that the Lions want Farías immediately whereas Colón want him to stay until the end of the season.
Reported Facundo Farías is a go to @OrlandoCitySC. He will go there for US$8 million. NOW the big question is when would he go. Eduardo Domínguez wants him to stay until the end of the season. Looks like OCSC wants him soon. That is the pending issue. [@nachoabatromero]
— Juan Arango (@JuanG_Arango) August 1, 2021
Ironically, Orlando City SC currently face a similar situation with Chris Mueller.
Already signing a pre-contract agreement to join Hibernian in January 2022, rumours suggest the Scottish side are pursuing his early arrival.
Considering Mueller and Farías both play the exact same combination of positions, perhaps there’s no smoke without fire?
Just 18-years-old, Facundo Farías is one of the most talented and talked about young stars in Argentine football.
Orlando City UK found out a little more about the highly-rated teenager who is reportedly interesting the Orlando City SC Front Office.
Who is Facundo Farías?
Facundo Farías is an 18-year-old attacking midfielder or second striker currently playing for Argentine Primera División side Colón.
He can also play as a left or right winger too.
As a youth, Farías started out with Escuela de Fútbol UNL before joining the academy of Corinthians Santa Fe.
Facundo Farías joined Colón’s academy in 2015. It took him four years to make his senior first team debut for the Santa Fe side.
November 2019 saw Facundo Farías promoted to Colón’s first team squad for a Primera División home fixture with Atlético Tucumán.
Earning his senior professional debut in the game, he entered as a 71st minute sub for Mauro Da Luz in a defeat at the Estadio Brigadier General Estanislao López.
This July 28 article from Today In 24 states that Farías has six goals and five assists in just over 20 games for Colón.
This form has made Argentina’s biggest clubs sit up and take notice, not to mention Atlético Madrid and Villarreal too.
According to Transfermarkt, Facundo Farías is right footed and stands at 5 ft 9 in.
In his fledgling career so far, Farías was a runner-up with Colón in the 2019 Copa Sudamericana.
With Independiente del Valle winning the tournament that year, the Copa Sudamericana is the second-most prestigious club competition in South American football.
Do Orlando City SC need Facundo Farías?
Like we mentioned in the case of Julián Álvarez, Facundo Farías is needed at Orlando City SC.
Not just because he’s a top young talent but because Chris Mueller is leaving with Nani in his final year of his contract.
Behind Mauricio Pereyra, the inexperienced David Loera is our only other option in the number 10 position.
To a lesser extent, Daryl Dike‘s long-term future probably lies away from Orlando City SC too.
That’s why this mid-season, the Orlando City SC Front Office appears to be lining up attacking moves with one eye on the future.
Right now, Orlando City SC have one more Designated Player slot to fill beyond Nani and Mauricio Pereyra.
Could Facundo Farías fill this Young Designated Player slot?
Only time will tell.
If signed however, Lions supporters will hope Farías is more successful than Josué Colmán – another player of a similar profile.