Columbus Crew SC closing on deal with left back Milton Valenzuela

Columbus Crew SC is reportedly close to filling the club’s biggest roster need, as several Argentinean outlets are reporting that the Black & Gold agreed on terms with Newell’s Old Boys to acquire 19-year-old Milton Valenzuela.

The left back, who played for Argentina’s U-20 National Team in 2017, has been linked with the club for several months but the deal now seems imminent with Crew SC set to play $1 million for 70 percent of Valenzuela’s transfer rights.

In an interview to the website El Hincha, Newell’s vice-president Cristian D’Amico confirmed that only details are still being discussing before the deal becomes official.

“We are just adjusting some details,” he said. “Columbus made us a one million dollars offer, which is much higher than the one they had made before. We are agreeing on some final details regarding the payment method now. They made an offer, we presented our counter offer and we are expecting to hear back from them at any moment.”

According to the same publication, Crew SC’s previous offer to acquire Valenzuela would have the Black & Gold paying $550,000 for the same 70 percent of his rights. The player is expected to travel to Columbus in the next few days if the deal is confirmed.

If Valenzuela is actually acquired, he would immediately compete for a starting spot on Columbus’ roster. The only player on the roster capable of playing as a left back after the departures of Jukka Raitala and Waylon Francis is Hector Jimenez, who was the incumbent for most of the 2017 season.