Toronto FC eying defensive help in summer transfer window

Toronto FC are busy getting ready for the opening of the secondary MLS transfer window.  The team have reportedly been doing their work to try and make a few much needed additions to the roster but the challenge for General Manager Tim Bezbatchenko is going to be how to make it all fit under the cap.

Unlike the L.A. Galaxy, Toronto FC are not in position to take advantage of the core DP rule that could allow the league's star club to add another big name designated player in the form of Giovani Dos Santos.  TFC are paying all three of their existing DPs a truckload of money so they are not in the price range to be dropped down by the new rule, leaving the club to look below the DP level for any additions that they are going to make this summer.

It appears that Bezbatchenko has been out shopping for defensive help in recent weeks and could be closing in on a few potential targets.  The highest profile name on the list of targets that the club has been linked to is Argentine defender Hugo Campagnaro.

The defender is now unattached having seen his contract with Inter Milan expire on July 1st and could be set for a move to MLS.  Several reports out of Italy have indicated that the defender could make the move to MLS with Toronto FC and the Montreal Impact being the front runners to land him.  Neither club being connected to a player based in Italy should come as a surprise given their connections to Serie A in recent history.

Campagnaro is now 35-years-old and may not be the same player he was when he was a fringe player for the Argentine National team and a consistent starter for his club, but he is not that far removed from being that level of a player.  Just a year ago the central defender made a World Cup appearance for Argentina and though he only featured in that one game for his country in Brazil last summer it is an indication of the quality that he still possesses late in his career.

He does not seem to be the only target for TFC, though. They have been linked with another out of contract South American defender -  right back Cicinho, who was last under contract with Sevilla.

The 28-year-old Brazilian is also out of contract and looking for a new place to play.  He certainly does not come with the resume of Campagnaro but he does have a few less miles under his belt.  He made the move to Sevilla in 2012 but never really managed to make much of an impact in Spain, winding up spending last season out on loan with CD Numancia in the second division.  He made 15 appearances during that loan making it his most successful season in Spain.

The club could also be in for Daniele Galloppa who spent time on trial with the team in June and could sign once the window opens.  It is not clear how interested the team are in the 30-year-old following that stint on trial but if they are interested in signing him it should be a move that happens early in the window.

It is clear that the club are targeting players that fill the biggest needs left in their squad.  The defending has been solid at times this season but it is clearly still the weak point of Greg Vanney's team.  He has gotten a lot out of the likes of Eriq Zavaleta and Ashtone Morgan this season but having more quality to work with at the back would certainly make his job a lot easier.

With the window about to open the eyes of Toronto FC fans will be squarely on Bez to see just what he has up his sleeve.  Chances are that any move to bring a new player in is going to have to be preceded by a move to ship someone out.  It should be a busy July for a team that is gearing up for a massive playoff push.