Photo: ISI Photos/ San Jose Earthquakes
Several Liga MX sides are interested in acquiring the services of Uruguayan center back Yeferson Quintana should he not make a permanent switch to the San Jose Earthquakes at the end of the season, a source close to the player has told Quakes Epicenter.
Quintana, 22, joined the Black-and-Blue in January from Uruguayan giant Peñarol on a season-long loan with an option to buy clause at $1 million. However, Quintana, who hasn’t started a game for the Quakes since early June, is unlikely to remain with the team, who recently acquired Georgian defender Guram Kashia from Vitesse and have option to extend Harold Cummings’ contract this winter.
It is also understood that the Bay Area side will have Francois Affolter and Jimmy Ockford under contract for the 2019 campaign, limiting general manager Jesse Fioranelli’s ability to reshape the center back contingent for the upcoming season.
The source who confirmed interest to Quakes Epicenter added there have also been talks on Quintana staying put in MLS, with the Seattle Sounders as a possible destination for the defender in 2019.
The out-of-favor defender, who is keen on remaining outside of his native Uruguay, can be one of many figures to depart San Jose this winter. Quakes Epicenter understands that the Quakes’ remaining 11 games will have a major influence on Fioranelli’s final verdicts this December, with the dismissal of Mikael Stahre also a possibility after a historically bad 16 points after 23 games.
