Atlanta United is reportedly on the verge of signing two South American standouts: Venezuelan forward Josef Martinez as its third Designated Player and Chilean midfielder Carlos Carmona, according to reports from Italy and Chile.
Martinez would join the MLS expansion club after making 58 appearances and scoring seven goals at Torino in Italy’s top division since 2014. Atlanta United has two strikers, Kenwyne Jones and Brandon Vazquez, who would be considered target, or hold-up, forwards because of their size. Both are taller than 6-feet. Martinez is 5-7 and likely better at trying to get into the space between the defenders compared to Jones and Vazquez.
Carmona would join after having his contract terminated by Atalanta in Italy, where he made 155 appearances since 2010.
Carmona, 29, is a defensive midfielder who has 50 appearances for the Chilean national team. He wasn’t a member of the Chile team that defeated Argentina in the final of the 2016 Copa America championship, but was a member of the 2015 team that did.
Atlanta United has one holding midfielder, MLS veteran Jeff Larentowicz, as well as several players that can be slotted into that position.
An Atlanta United spokesman declined to comment, which is the team policy.
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