A trade to the Montreal Impact might not be Ambroise Oyongo’s only exit door from the New York Red Bulls. Rumours earlier this week suggested that Oyongo would be the club’s vessel to move up in the MLS allocation order, presumably with the ultimate goal of acquiring Sacha Kljestan. Also involved in this alleged deal was Montreal attacking midfielder Felipe.
However, conversations with Oyongo’s agent, Nicolas Onissé, suggest that this move may be not be as close to taking place as some believed. Onissé has yet to receive any information from the Red Bulls about this move, and first heard about it like most: on social media. He didn’t deny that it could be true, but suggests there are several other factors at play.
For one, he confirmed that more than one European club is actively interested in his client, who is currently playing for Cameroon at the African Cup of Nations. It is expected that at the conclusion of this tournament Oyongo will sit down with New York Red Bulls management to discuss what the best course of action is for the future of the club. That places an interesting timeline on all of this.
Cameroon is currently in the group stage of the tournament, and a disappointing draw with Mali in their opening game could see them eliminated as early as January 28. It was Oyongo’s first goal for his national team that rescued the result. That puts no limitation on a potential MLS move, but would leave only three days for a deal to be completed with a European club. The tournament has the potential to go as late as February 8, should Cameroon advance to the final.
As for the assembly of the Montreal Impact link, it could potentially be a compilation of truths instead of a concrete transfer possibility. It seems very likely that Montreal are in fact shopping Felipe. It is no secret that they are interested in Oyongo as a player who could improve their questionable defense.
Reports have the Red Bulls to move up in the allocation order, with Montreal currently owning the top spot. Pressure is now on them after LA Galaxy, also interested in Kljestan, moved up to third in the allocation order earlier this month. Those three things appear to be truths, but it doesn’t necessarily mean they are related in the way that reports have suggested.
The 23-year-old left back went on trial with the New York Red Bulls last season and impressed them enough to retain him fully. Before this he had gone on loan with Ligue 1 club Lille, and it was believed that he impressed enough to be signed by the club, something that never actually took place.
It is unknown at this time whether that is one of the aforementioned European clubs that have interest in him. Oyongo ultimately played 13 matches with Red Bull last season. He has played 8 games for both the Cameroon U20 side and the senior national team. As aforementioned, he has one goal which came against Mali.
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