Another day, another update concerning a D.C. United transfer target:
#MLS | LEONARDO GIL will stay with #EDLP. #DCUnited were interested in signing Argentine MF | #DCU pic.twitter.com/4GuOwJbJWx
— Emmanuel Quispe (@emaquix) January 29, 2016
This isn't completely surprising given the emerging news that United are in hot pursuit of Antonio Nocerino from AC Milan. And according to another source we've heard from, Estudiantes is concerned about their depth at the position. Unless a move can be made to bring in a player as a replacement for Gil, the team would be reluctant to let him go to D.C., so this would seem to close the door.
D.C. had put a bit of effort into signing Gil: they had made a push to sign him last summer which Gil ultimately decided against, Steve Goff reported that the team has upped its monetary offer to the 24-year old and at one point, at least one D.C. player spoke to Gil about America and MLS.
There is the chance Estudiantes could still add to their midfield and allow Gil to move; coach Nelson Vivas replaced former Argentina star Gabriel Milito last month and may have a desire to place his imprint on the squad with the help of Juan Sebastian Veron (a one-time United target and current chairman of Estudiantes who also happens to have played alongside Vivas when both were on the Argentine national team). It remains to be seen but it certainly puts added concern that someone is brought in to reinforce the Black and Red midfield.