Sources: Chicago Fire Finalizing Jonathan Bamba Deal
The Chicago Fire are closing in on the signing of Jonathan Bamba, sources confirmed to MIR97 Media. The French winger is currently with Celta Vigo and will be a Designated Player in MLS. The story was first reported by Fabrizio Romano.
Bamba, 28, has spent one and a half seasons with midtable La Liga club Celta Vigo. Prior to his move to Celta, he spent five seasons with LOSC Lille, making 167 appearances, scoring 27 times, and winning the Ligue 1 title in 2020/21. Bamba's arrival will make him the Fire's second DP, joining Hugo Cuypers with that designation on the current roster. That leaves one open DP spot for the Fire to fill.
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Bamba, currently valued by Transfermarkt at €4 million, will be the first marquee signing of the Gregg Berhalter era, and the ninth overall addition. The Fire have already signed David Poreba, Omari Glasgow, Jack Elliott, Dylan Borso, Dean Boltz, Philip Zinckernagel, Sam Rogers, and Leonardo Barroso this winter.
For the Fire, Bamba fills the DP left winger role that Berhalter has said he was aiming to fill before the start of the season. The Fire have been linked with a host of players in the position, including a shock move for Brazilian superstar Neymar Jr., which remains on the table but highly unlikely.
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Though the story broke earlier this afternoon, Bamba was included in Celta's squad for their Copa del Rey round of 16 tie against Real Madrid today. Bamba came off the bench in the 67th minute with his team trailing 2-0, but scored to cut the deficit in half. Moments later, he won a penalty, which was converted by Marcos Alonso to send the game to overtime. Despite the remarkable comeback at Estadio Santiago Bernabéu fuelled by Bamba, Madrid went on to win 5-2, eliminating Celta. Bamba became the first player to come off the bench to score and win a penalty against Real at the Bernabéu since the 2013/14 season.
Following Bamba's arrival, there will be four open slots on the Fire's senior roster, in addition to three international slots. The Fire are still expected to add at least two more players, and both will likely be central midfielders as that is currently a thin position. Tom Bogert reported this afternoon that Mali international, Rominigue Kouamé, currently with Cádiz, could be one option.
Read more:
https://meninred97.com/rumor-mill-neymar-linked-with-chicago-fire-move/
https://meninred97.com/offseason-a-work-in-progress-says-berhalter/
https://meninred97.com/fire-sign-leonardo-barroso-from-sporting-cp/
