Report: Columbus Crew SC interested in Issah Abass

Columbus Crew SC reportedly are close to adding depth in the midfield. Reports suggest the Black & Gold have the team’s sights set on NK Olimpija Ljubljana attacker Issah Abass.

The 19-year-old Ghanian has appeared 14 times for the Slovenian club and scored six times since joining in 2017. Abass’ services won’t come cheap for Crew SC. The midfielder is rumored to be worth between $1.8-2.5 million.

With the departure of midfielders Kekuta Manneh and Justin Meram, Abass could contend for minutes and give sporting director and head coach Gregg Berhalter difficult decisions when creating a match day lineup. The attacker could also be used as another option as a forward after leading scorer Ola Kamara was traded for Gyasi Zardes and allocation money.

Abass possesses raw talent and could grow and develop under the watchful eye of Berhalter. Coupled with players like Federico Higuain and Pedro Santos, the young player could potentially develop into a quality player in Berhalter’s attacking system.

The 19 year old won’t kill opponents with his speed, but appears to have a soccer mind with an ability to show up in dangerous areas on the pitch.

If Abass does join Crew SC, he would be the sixth Ghana native on the Black & Gold’s roster.

Berhalter has mentioned adding attacking options before the 2018 Major League Soccer, so this could be a direction the club elects to go. It’s also possible this one should be filed in the rumor department.