How Cincinnati saw two club-record deals collapse in the summer window

FC Cincinnati completed a deadline day deal for former St. Louis City forward Nicholas Gioacchini, but the American was hardly the club’s first choice.

According to Tom Bogert, Cincinnati submitted a bid upwards of $20 million for Norwich City and USMNT striker Josh Sargent, but the English club demanded at least $25 million to part ways with the forward.

Reports suggest that the club could go back in for Sargent in the winter after the conclusion of the 2024 MLS campaign, and agreeing with the 24-year-old ‘shouldn’t be an issue’.

Sargent wasn’t the only USMNT star Cincinnati appeared keen on, as Weston McKennie was reportedly a target of the club as well, but Juventus were said to be reluctant to sell the midfielder as early as the August 14 transfer deadline in MLS.

With those big money targets having gone by the wayside, Cincinnati reportedly remained set on splashing the cash before the end of the summer window as they looked to give Pat Noonan’s squad a late boost to an already impressive season.

According to Tom Bogert’s report, the club triggered the $15 million release clause for Monterrey star Germán Berterame, and the player was all but ready to make the move stateside. However, the Argentine backed out for ‘family reasons’ late on in the deal.

The Portland Timbers suffered the same fate in their pursuit of Berterame earlier in the window, appearing to have agreed a deal to sign the striker before he decided to remain in Mexico.

In the end, Cincinnati landed on Nicholas Gioacchini from Serie A side Como as their depth signing to increase their chances of contending in the Eastern Conference, and with the forward’s move to Cincinnati only on loan for the remainder of the calendar year, Cincinnati can potentially open the cheque-book once again come the winter window.