Argentinian centerback spurns Atlanta United for River Plate

Atlanta United’s offseason signing spree hit a snag with Argentinian centerback Hector David Martinez choosing to go to River Plate.

Martinez, 23, is a left-footed centerback for Defensa y Justicia, which recently won the Copa Sudamericana, in Argentina.

Argentinian writer German Garcia Grova was the first to report that Atlanta United had agreed to terms Saturday with Defensa y Justicia for the player. He reported that the terms were $3.5 million for four years.

🚨Principio de acuerdo entre #DyJ y #AtlantaUnited por Héctor David Martínez, marcador central.

❗️El equipo de Heinze ofrece U$S3.5M por el 100% de la ficha. #Defensa tiene el 50% y #River el otro 50%

📍Cuatro años de contrato para el campeón de la #Sudamericana pic.twitter.com/KEIZjpFGKS
— Germán García Grova (@GerGarciaGrova) February 6, 2021

Argentinian outlet Doble Amarilla, however, reported that the deal was contested by River Plate, which reportedly owns some of Martinez’s rights.

A call from River Plate manager Marcelo Gallardo Sunday was enough to convince Martinez to spurn Atlanta United for his squad, according to Garcia Grova.

#MercadodePases | #River pretende el regreso de David Martínez
📌 La oferta que tiene en carpeta el Millonario
📌 También lo quiere el #AtlantaUtd de Heinzehttps://t.co/fLDS0MkSzY
— doble amarilla (@okdobleamarilla) February 6, 2021

🚨 Héctor David Martínez, a un paso de volver a #River.

❗️Principio de acuerdo con #DyJ para comprar su 50% en U$S1.2M y así #River volverá a tener el 100%.

📍Gallardo levantó el teléfono y el juvenil eligió #River por sobre #AtlantaUnited.

📝Lunes o Martes firma de contrato. https://t.co/RxhN0UEUCR pic.twitter.com/2bcS50wuES
— Germán García Grova (@GerGarciaGrova) February 7, 2021

Atlanta United declined to comment.

Martinez has 40 appearances for Defensa y Justicia with two goals and one assist.

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Credit: MIguel Martinez