Rounding up Thursday’s Atlanta United rumors and reports

Atlanta United defender Franco Escobar (2) drives the ball down field during the first half in a MLS game against the  New York Red Bulls at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2020, in Atlanta. Branden Camp/For the Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Atlanta United defender Franco Escobar (2) drives the ball down field during the first half in a MLS game against the New York Red Bulls at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2020, in Atlanta. Branden Camp/For the Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Stop if you’ve heard this before, Atlanta United reportedly is interested in signing a young player from Argentina.

Thursday’s report is that the Five Stripes are interested in signing Santiago Sosa of River Plate. Sosa, 21, is a defensive midfielder who once was a target of Everton. Sosa has a transfer value of more than $7.3 million, according to transfermarkt.com. Sosa has made 21 appearances for River Plate and nine for Argentina’s U20 national team.

The reported signing is quizzical because not only does the club already have Eric Remedi and Mo Adams, it has also reportedly signed defensive midfielder Franco Ibarra, according to a post by Ibarra a week ago. The club has yet to say anything about either transaction.

Reportedly leaving the club is Franco Escobar, who is a target of Newell’s Old Boys in Argentina. Escobar, 25, joined Atlanta United from Newell’s following the 2017 season. Escobar appeared 63 times for the Five Stripes and helped it win three trophies. He has expressed a desire to be considered a captain for the club, as well as for playing for new manager Gabriel Heinze.