A week before it begins training in Blaine, Minnesota United is pursuing 23-year-old Argentinian goalkeeper Agustin Rossi as part of the offseason makeover of its starting lineup.
A report from Argentina said Buenos Aires club Boca Juniors would loan Rossi to Minnesota for 18 months with no fee, but with a $12 million option for United to buy his rights.
A MLS source confirmed on Monday that United is interested in obtaining both Rossi and 28-year-old French right back Romain Metanire to fill two remaining positions of need now that it has acquired midfielders Jan Gregus and Ozzie Alonso.
All of it is an effort to improve the Loons' defense – and their team – as they head into new Allianz Field, which debuts with their home opener April 13 against New York City FC.
The Loons in November renewed starting goalkeeper Bobby Shuttleworth's contract for this coming season. They selected Maryland goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair with the seventh pick in the MLS SuperDraft on Friday, but have continued to target a starting goalkeeper all off-season as well.
Rossi has played 58 games — with 25 shutouts — with Boca Juniors since joining the team in 2017 and helped lead it to the Copa Libertadores tournament final.
MLS expansion team F.C. Cincinnati also reportedly has sought Rossi.
United on Monday selected Northern Illinois forward Kevin Rodriguez with the 75th overall pick in the SuperDraft. It then took Australian defender Mitchell Osmond from the University of Rio Grande and Rio Grande College with the 94th overall pick.
The Loons acquired the two fourth-round picks from Orlando City in last week's trade that brought Alonso, who played 10 years with Seattle, to Minnesota.
