The Houston Dynamo have come to a verbal agreement with Argentine club Instituto de Córdoba to finalize the reported $1.2 million transfer of 21-year-old Argentine forward Mateo Bajamich, according to TyC Sports’ Cesar Merlo.
Additionally, Bajamich has agreed to sign a four-year contract with Houston pending a medical.
Hay acuerdo de palabra entre Instituto y Houston Dynamo por Mateo Bajamich. Los abogados ya confeccionan los contratos. La trasnferencia se realiza en u$s 1.200.000 y el futbolista, post revisión médica, firmará por 4 años. pic.twitter.com/zbyvrMWBnU
— César Luis Merlo (@CLMerlo) September 16, 2020
Three weeks ago, Merlo also reported the initial stages of the negotiations. It was revealed then that the Dynamo’s $1.2 million offer is for 80% of the players rights.
*️⃣El extremo Mateo Bajamich está cerca de irse al Houston Dynamo de la MLS.
*️⃣Instituto ya tiene una oferta de u$s 1.200.000 por el 80% de los derechos económicos.
*️⃣Salvo que llegue una propuesta mejor de… https://t.co/Z0FTVsETo2— César Luis Merlo (@CLMerlo) August 28, 2020
The Dynamo were reportedly competing against bids from English League One side Sunderland and an undisclosed Italian club, according to Argentine outlet La NUEVA Mañana.
Sunderland presented a £500,000 bid (~ $645,855.00), with add ons and sell on clauses.
Bajamich will occupy an international slot and likely a Designated Player spot. Both of those spots are now available with the departure of Alberth Elis.
The outgoing transfer of “La Panterita” also vacates the #7 jersey worn by Bajamich.
Finality is a good thing for @HoustonDynamo concerning @alberthelis17 and being able to move on from the "dance" and not have uncertainty. Great for Albert Elis in that he gets @boavistaoficial and his Euro opportunity. Attention turns to Mateo Bajamich. #SoccerMatters
— Glenn Davis (@GlennDavisSoc) September 15, 2020
KXLN Sports Anchor Lester Gretsch reported the deal as nearly done on Tuesday.
“The Manager (Fernando Quiroz) knew that the club needs the income to continue improving, so he understood the departures of Malcom Braida and Mateo Bajamich,” said Instituto Vicepresident Mariano Carbonari in a radio interview. “For six months the club has no income, so we also have to generate them.”
Instituto plays in Argentina’s second tier known as the Primera B Nacional. The 102-year-old club has been home to the likes of Marcelo Bielsa (1978–1979) and Paulo Dybala (2003-2011 youth, 2011-2012 senior).
