FC Porto target Columbian international Fredy Guarin

Dragons’ South American contingent set to rise

After splashing out a cool 7m euros for Cristian Rodriguez, FC Porto are scouring the market for more reinforcements and have locked their sights on St Etienne midfielder Fredy Guarin.

The Colombian international has made just 18 appearances for the Ligue 1 club, but that has not stopped Porto from going to the negotiating table and trying to hammer out a deal for the 23-year-old.

The player’s representative, Alejandro Hernandez, has admitted that the two clubs are close to striking a deal and that the transfer should be made official any day now.

“I have been in contact with the St Etienne board and the last bit of information that they passed onto me is that the clubs are almost done negotiating,” confessed Hernandez. “The numbers are close to what they want and they have told me that what remains are small details and I think that soon everything will be resolved.”

However, discussion of wage demands has not yet begun. “I’m still waiting for someone at Porto to contact me. I will wait to receive some contact and then fly to Europe. Afterwards, we will negotiate, but on Fredy’s part, there will be no problem. He really wants to play at a big club like FC Porto.”

The Dragons are investing heavily in Spanish speaking South American footballers, having already signed Rodriguez, Nelson Benitez, Mariano Gonzalez and Tomas Costa. That is not to mention the sizeable Argentine contingent already on their payroll in Lucho Gonzalez, Lisandro Lopez, Bolatti and Farias, and Uruguayan Fucile.