:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/68738544/1176727110.0.jpg)
Earlier in the week The Blue Testament reported on rumors of an impending transfer of French center back, Nicolas Isimat-Mirin. The 29-year-old was under contract with Besiktas in Turkey but it appears that may have come to an end. TRT Spor is reporting that after meeting with the club today, it’s expected his deal will be terminated. Isimat-Mirin was under contract through the summer of 2022.
Foto Mac is also reporting the deal will be terminated for one million Euros. The buyout would apparently clear off 1.2 million Euros on the budget of Besiktas. That supports further reporting that the Turkish club would allow Isimat-Mirin to leave for free to join Sporting Kansas City. There are also rumors he’s already in Kansas City getting his medicals completed.
At this point, nothing has been confirmed.
Isimat-Mirin spent the 2019-20 season on loan with French club FC Toulouse who were subsequently relegated to Ligue 2 after finishing dead last in Ligue 1. They finished a miserable 3-21-4, picking up only 13 points (10 below 19th place) and allowing 58 goals. Not exactly what you want to hear from a club who Sporting KC may be acquiring a defender from.
He started 14 games during this past season racking up 1,260 league minutes. He seemingly was out of favor down the stretch, starting just one of the final nine games in the Ligue 1 season (a 3-0 loss to LOSC Lille). Other reporting says it was an injury that kept him out.
Sporting KC’s Current CB Depth
Currently, the team only has three center backs on the roster. Roberto Puncec started the most games of any of his center back partners in 2020. He’s joined by the team’s highest paid defender, Andreu Fontas, who recovered from injury to rejoin the team in 2020. The only other player signed is Graham Smith, a 2018 first round pick in the MLS SuperDraft.
If the rumors are true, it’ll be interesting to see what he is paid and if he pushes for a starting position. The defense has been inconsistent over the last two seasons and could use some stability. Even at 29, he’d be the second youngest on the team behind Smith (25). Puncec is also 29 (but a month older) and Fontas is now 31.
Sporting KC II also have several youth prospects at center back. They have Kaveh Rad (19) and Danny Barbir (22). Additionally, they have Petar Cuic (21) on loan from Dinamo Zagreb.
For more on Nicolas Isimat-Mirin, including some highlights, check our our initial rumor.