The Montreal Impact could soon bulk up with not just one, but two new signings.
With Didier Drogba's signing announced on Monday, Alajuelense’s Johan Venegas could soon be on his way to Quebec as well.
A 26-year-old Costa Rican international, Venegas was on the Alajuelense team eliminated by Montreal in the 2014-15 CONCACAF Champions League semifinals. He scored two goals and racked up three assists in the tournament.
Part of the Costa Rica team that fell to Mexico in the quarterfinals of the 2015 Gold Cup, Venegas played mostly at left midfield. But he is at ease on both wings and enjoys cutting inside, and can also play behind the main striker.
Contacted by MLSsoccer.com on Monday morning, an Impact spokesperson declined to comment on the club’s pursuit of Venegas.
Montreal head coach Frank Klopas was coy when asked about Venegas after Montreal's 1-0 win over Seattle on Saturday.
“Did we sign him already? I don’t know,” said a beaming Klopas. “All I know is, he’s a very good player. If he’s coming… you see the smile on my face. That’s good. I know a lot about him, because we scouted their games so much, but I think a lot of people saw him also in the Gold Cup with his national team. We’ll see. Hopefully, everything falls in place.”
Venegas spoke to TVA Sports on Saturday and said he “clearly wanted” to be part of the Montreal Impact.
“The Impact is a very well-organized team tactically,” Venegas said. “There are many excellent players on the team. I like their team play. The Impact play an attack-orientated style. That team didn’t reach the CONCACAF Champions League Final for nothing.”
Alajuelense technical director Marco Vasquez also told TVA Sports that the player “wants to go, wants to play for the Impact” and that he expected the deal to be done “as soon as possible.”
