Jaime Ayovi could be headed to Major League Soccer when the summer transfer window opens next week.
According to reports out of his native Ecuador, the forward is a possible target for Columbus Crew SC. Ayovi currently plays for Godoy Cruz in the Argentinian Primera Division and is under contract until 2018. However, it appears that he is looking to move elsewhere and MLS appears to be the destination.
#GodoyCruz confirma @MayBayas desde Ecuador que Jaime Ayoví continuará su carrera en la #MLS…
— Gastón Lucero Suárez (@gastonlucero88) June 27, 2016
Jaime Ayovi Rumored to be on Columbus Crew SC Radar
Crew SC isn’t the only club that has Ayovi on its radar. An earlier report indicated that the 28-year-old striker has also attracted the attention of Trabzonspor in Turkey. The club finished 12th in the Turkish Super Lig last season.
Ayovi made the Ecuadorian national team for the recently completed Copa America Centenario. He started the team’s Group B finale against Haiti, scoring a goal in the 20th minute of a 4-0 win. Overall, Ayovi logged a total of 108 minutes in the tournament. That included eight minutes of action against the US in Ecuador’s 2-1 quarterfinal defeat.
Over a seven year international career thus far, Ayovi has 38 appearances for Ecuador. During that time, he’s scored ten goals for the national team. The first five years of his club career were spent at famed Ecuadorian club Emelec from 2006-10. In his final year with the team, he was named best player in the Ecuadorian Serie A. This after he led the league in goals that season.
A potential move by Crew SC to add Ayovi to the roster certainly adds attacking firepower in the wake of Kei Kamara‘s departure. The club currently has just 19 goals in MLS play this season. That’s currently tied for sixth-worst in the league.
If he does indeed join the club, Ayovi would be the second player on the Crew SC roster to have formerly played for Godoy Cruz. Federico Higuain made 36 appearances for the club during the 2009-10 season.
#GodoyCruz fin de la era Jaime Ayoví en el #Tomba . Es un hecho que será compañero de @Fede_Higuain en el @ColumbusCrewSC #EEUU
— Juan Esteban Suraci (@juansuraci) June 26, 2016
The summer transfer window officially opens next Monday. Teams in the league will be able to acquire players via the transfer market from then until August 3rd.
