Report: Atlanta United targeting Velez Sarsfield center back Lautaro Giannetti

UPDATE (Feb. 23, 1 pm ET): Atlanta United transfer target Lautaro Giannetti is not training with the first team at Velez Sarsfield as the center back pushes for a move to the United States, according to TYC Sports' CL Merlo and The Athletic's Felipe Cardenas.

Cardenas adds that Atlanta are waiting on Velez.

Lautaro Giannetti is not training with the Vélez first team, as @CLMerlo reports that the player is pushing for a move to #ATLUTD.

From a source familiar with the talks:
“We’re waiting for Vélez to keep their word and close the deal.” https://t.co/QoTDApdrML

— Felipe Cárdenas (@FelipeCar) February 23, 2021

Giannetti, 27, previously played for new Atlanta manager Gabriel Heinze. He has 114 appearances with the club and is a former Argentine youth international.

Atlanta recently loaned center back Fernando Meza to Defensa y Justicia earlier this winter as they shakeup their options in central defense. Miles Robinson and George Campbell headline other players at the position. 

TRANSFER TRACKER STATUS: Report

ORIGINAL (Feb. 18, 11 am ET): Atlanta United are reportedly looking to bolster their defense by targeting Velez Sarsfield center back Lautaro Giannetti, according to The Athletic's Felipe Cardenas.

Giannetti, 27, played under Five Stripes manager Gabriel Heinze during their mutual time at the Argentine Primera Division club. He's made 114 appearances since debuting for Velez Sarsfield in 2012, plus has worn the captain's armband as of late.

Hearing from multiple sources that Atlanta United are targeting Vélez Sarsfield center back Lautaro Giannetti.

On Friday, I mentioned Giannetti as a strong option for #ATLUTD's back line. https://t.co/bzkfeQ19Or pic.twitter.com/un36LRrX8m

— Felipe Cárdenas (@FelipeCar) February 17, 2021

On the international scene, Giannetti has featured for Argentina's U-20 and U-23 national teams. During the 2016 Summer Olympics in Brazil, he went 90 minutes in all three of Argentina's group stage matches.

Should Giannetti join Atlanta United, he'd bolster a center-back corps that's led by Fernando Meza and US men's national teamer Miles Robinson. Atlanta have already added two players this offseason whom Heinze is familiar with in forward Lisandro Lopez and center mid Santiago Sosa.