U20 World Cup star who bossed Messi in line for move to European giants

Club Brugge have joined PSV in the race to sign Seattle Sounders midfielder Obed Vargas, according to local media.

The Mexico U20 international looks destined for a sparkling career in European football. Since bursting onto the scene with the Seattle Sounders as a 15-year-old in 2021, Vargas has gone from strength to strength.

An all-action midfielder, the 20-year-old has already made 127 senior appearances for the Rave Green, scoring six goals and notching 10 assists. The zenith of his still-young career recently came in the Leagues Cup final when he bossed Lionel Messi as the Sounders beat Inter Miami 3-0.

Vargas was involved in the now-infamous post-game altercation, taking a punch from Sergio Busquets for which the Spanish legend was handed a two-game ban.

The young midfielder is currently away on international duty with Mexico for the U20 World Cup in Chile. He started his country’s opening game as they drew 2-2 with Brazil at the weekend.

Vargas set for move to Europe – or is he?

Due to his precocity, Vargas has been on the radar of European clubs for some time. In the previous January window, Dutch giants PSV, who have strong CONCACAF ties, were reportedly interested, but no move materialised.

Summer interest was pretty muted, but there is an expectation that Vargas will be playing in Europe before long. Indeed, this is potentially his final season with the Sounders.

According to journalist Nico Moreno, PSV remain concretely interested in Vargas, and they have now been joined by Club Brugge in the race to sign him. The 19-time Belgian champions have been scouting the 20-year-old in recent games.

The Sounders, meanwhile, have been trying to tie their homegrown down to a new contract, but progress has been minimal. However, there could yet be a surprising twist.

Moreno, speaking on the Nos Audietis podcast, revealed that he has been receiving positive signals from sources that the two parties are not as far apart in negotiations as it initially appeared.

Amid all of this, Tigres have been courting Vargas, with Mexican media claiming that the Sounders have an $8 million bid on the table. Vargas, however, is understood to prefer a move to Europe, while his club appear unwilling to do business with the Monterrey outfit.

It remains to be seen if the wonderkid will extend or head across the pond in the MLS post-season. Another year with the Sounders would only postpone his inevitable departure for European shores.

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