29 June 2023 , 18:03
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A USMNT star may be denied a move to Europe after his MLS club refused to sell him even after he had agreed terms with a Bundesliga side.
Forward Brandon Vazquez is one of the US league's hottest properties, with the 24-year-old having experienced a major breakthrough year for FC Cincinnati last term. After scoring 18 goals in 34 outings during the last campaign, he has notched four times in 18 appearances this season as his team currently leads the MLS Eastern Conference.
His performances were enough to earn him a place on the coveted MLS Best XI list and it appears that his prolific output has not gone unnoticed in Europe. According to Planet Football, the likes of Premier League club Everton and Bundesliga team Borussia Monchengladbach are keeping tabs on the striker's availability this summer.
As per the report, representatives from the latter had been to watch the Californian marksman over the past year and even visited his home in a bid to convince him to join the project at Borussia-Park. Following on from this, they allege that the USMNT international then agreed personal terms over a prospective move to Germany.
However, it appears that Cinny club chiefs are reticent to letting the highly-rated talent depart the club, at least before the end of the season, with the bid having been rejected. With the Ohio outfit currently riding high and on course to win the coveted Supporters' Shield this term, the presence of a forward of Vazquez's ability could prove crucial in the coming months and in the subsequent MLS Cup playoffs.
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The prospect's reputation will have also have been enhanced after he broke his duck for his country with his maiden strike for the US coming against Jamaica in the CONCACAF Gold Cup. However, with a contract running until 2025, which includes an option for a further year, Cincinnati is in a strong position to resist the advances of any interested parties for the time being.
A major reason for their reluctance to part ways with the three-time international could also be due to the fact that fellow Cincinnati forward Brenner will depart for Serie A club Udinese this summer. The Brazilian hotshot also hit 18 goals last season — the joint best in MLS — and his sale will certainly come as a blow for the leading US club.
Brandon Vazquez is in demand this summer but his current employers look to be holding firm (John Dorton/USSF/Getty Images for USSF)This said, the franchise's general manager Chris Albright was quick to offer assurances that the $10m (£7.84m) sale of Brenner will not harm the club's ambitions moving forward. He said back in April: "Our ultimate goal at FC Cincinnati is to win games for our incredible fans, and we understand that developing players is central to attracting the best talent.
"This is a significant transfer for our club and is a testament to everything our staff has done in the past year and a half. Our ownership will continue to give us the resources to compete and this transfer only adds to that commitment."
Both players have not scored with the same regularity as they were able to last year, with Brenner particularly struggling to hit the heights in this regard, notching just once in eight outings. Luckily, attacking midfielder Luciano Ascota has had no such issues, however, leading the way for his club in terms of strikes with eight so far this season.