Toronto FC transfer rumours: TFC linked with Club America forward

Whether or not it’s related to the fact that Toronto FC just played a friendly with Club America, I don’t know. The MLS website is saying that TFC (and the Vancouver Whitecaps) are interested in America forward Darwin Quintero.

The 30-year-old has been with the Liga MX side for about four years now, scoring 17 goals in 97 appearances. Prior to that, he had 50 goals in 187 games for Santos Laguna. He’s won two CONCACAF Champions Leagues, in 2015 and again in 2016 (both with America).

TFC fans might remember Quintero from his red card incident, leading to a skirmish at the end of a 2012 CCL semi-final game between Toronto and Santos Laguna. He chopped down Ashtone Morgan (I think), and was sent off immediately:

Apparently, TFC have offered $5 million for him. That’s a lot. Honestly, it seems almost impossible that they’d be able to fit that kind of transfer fee under the cap, despite Tim Bezbatchenko’s assurances that there’s plenty of TAM left in the cupboard.

I think Quintero’s name came up in the Jozy Altidore to Club America rumours last month, so this could be a trickle-down effect from that.

Quintero also scored against TFC in the game yesterday:

In short, there’s a very good chance this is nonsense. He’s older than what I think TFC want in any forward they bring in, and at that money it just wouldn’t really make financial sense.