George Bello could soon leave Atlanta United, though his destination seems unclear, according to two reports Saturday.
Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano tweeted Saturday that Atlanta United reached an agreement with Belgian club Cercle Brugge for $3.75 million, plus sell-on fees. Cercle is seventh in the Belgian table. Bello would have to agree to personal terms with the club.
Grant Wahl then reported that Bello would prefer to go to German club Arminia Bielefeld, which has had several offers less than Cercle’s rejected by Atlanta United. Arminia sits 14th in the Bundesliga table.
Wahl also reported that Bello can sign a pre-contract during the summer window and eventually leave on a free transfer because his contract will have expired. If Atlanta United doesn’t sell the 20-year-old fullback during this transfer window, it may not make a return on its investment in the Homegrown signing.
Atlanta United has declined to comment.
Bello has made 52 appearances, with three goals and four assists for the Five Stripes. He has represented the U.S. six times. Bello, who is from Douglasville, signed with the club before the 2018 season after being one of the inaugural members of its academy. He would be the first former Academy player to be sold by the club.
The figure quoted by Romano is slightly more than half of what Wolfsburg reportedly paid ($7.35 million) Friday for Kevin Paredes, an 18-year-old left back who previously played at D.C. United.
Cercle Brugge has three left backs on its roster, including two whose contracts expire this summer, according to transfermarkt.us.
Should Bello be sold, Atlanta United has Andrew Gutman, Mikey Ambrose and Caleb Wiley as left backs.
Atlanta United President Darren Eales said two weeks ago that if the club receives a good offer, and the move is good for Bello, they would sell him with their blessing.
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