REPORT: Nashville SC Pursuing Striker Aké Loba

NASHVILLE, TN – First reported by Medio Tiempo, and later by ESPN FC’s Tom Marshall, and confirmed by Speedway Soccer, Nashville are in talks with Ivorian striker Aké Loba. The 21-year-old attacker spent the 2019 season in Liga MX on loan with Querétaro on loan from Peruvian club Universidad San Martín. Nashville SC declined to comment, per club policy.

Loba played 1,348 minutes for Querétaro in 2019, scoring six goals and assisting two more. With a Transfermarkt value of $1.71 million, Loba would be the highest valued player on Nashville’s roster other than Hany Mukhtar, the first designated player in club history.

Loba would be the fifth striker on Nashville SC’s roster, joining Dominique Badji, Abu Danladi, Daniel Ríos and Cameron Lancaster. Speedway Soccer understands Nashville are exploring loan moves for at least one of their forwards, freeing up space for a potential addition.

Loba’s loan to Querétaro is set to end on December 31. We will continue to monitor this story and will update our report as news becomes available.

UPDATED JANUARY 03 2020 9:25 AM: Speedway Soccer has received reports from several sources in Mexico that Liga MX side Cruz Azul are negotiating with Loba, although talks have reportedly stalled. These sources report that Nashville SC are still pursuing the striker. Although the Liga MX domestic transfer window closes on January 3, Speedway Soccer understands that Cruz Azul have until January 31 to potentially sign Loba, as his rights are currently held by USMP in Peru.

TRANSFER TRACKER LEVEL: Report

Author: Ben Wrightis the Director of Soccer Content and a Senior MLS Contributor for Broadway Sports covering Nashville SC and the US National Team. Previously Ben was the editor and a founder of Speedway Soccer, where he has covered Nashville SC and their time in USL before journeying to Major League Soccer since 2018. Raised in Louisville, KY Ben grew up playing before a knee injury ended his competitive career. When he is not talking soccer he is probably producing music, drinking coffee or hanging out with his wife and kids. Mastodon

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