Orlando City Willing To Delay Major Transfer Until Summer Window

Orlando City is playing the long game on a high-profile signing. The Lions are willing to wait until June to land their target, with Fabrizio Romano reporting the club has set its sights on securing Antoine in the summer transfer window.

League sources confirm the Eastern Conference side has made this signing a priority, but the timing is everything. The front office has been quietly building its case to bring in reinforcements after the season is already underway, a calculated risk that speaks to both the complexity of the deal and Orlando's confidence they can get it done.

Romano, one of the most connected transfer reporters in global soccer, posted the update on his social media channels Friday afternoon, signaling that Orlando's pursuit is serious and the club's patience reflects the realities of the transfer market. Those close to the situation say the June timeline likely aligns with either the player's current contractual obligations or the opening of a transfer window that makes the move financially viable for all parties involved.

What makes this notable is Orlando's willingness to essentially sacrifice half a season of production from what appears to be a significant target. MLS clubs typically do their heaviest lifting during the winter transfer window, loading up before the season kicks off in late February. Waiting until June means Orlando would be banking on making a playoff push in the second half of the campaign, a gamble that only makes sense if they believe this signing can be transformative.

The identity of Antoine remains unclear from Romano's tweet alone, though the single-name reference and international appeal suggests a player with name recognition beyond North American circles. Orlando has shown ambition in recent windows, and the front office has demonstrated a willingness to be creative with designated player slots and international roster spots to bring in talent that can elevate the club's ceiling.

For Orlando fans, this is a test of trust. The club is essentially asking supporters to believe the wait will be worth it, that the player they're targeting will justify starting the season without that piece in place. General manager Luiz Muzzi and his staff have built credibility through smart roster construction, but patience wears thin when you're fighting for playoff positioning in a competitive conference.

The next three months will reveal whether Orlando's gamble pays off. Until then, the front office will continue working the phones, maintaining relationships, and positioning itself to strike when the calendar turns to summer.

Source: https://x.com/FabrizioRomano/status/2029930283877679469