Atlanta United finalizing $18m deal to sign Switzerland forward Breel Embolo from Rennes

Atlanta United are finalizing a deal to acquire Switzerland international forward Breel Embolo from Rennes, sources briefed on the situation tell The Athletic.

Atlanta will pay a fee in the region of $18million (€15.5m) for Embolo, sources add, making the forward one of the top five most expensive players in the history of MLS. Atlanta is responsible for five of the top 10 most expensive transfers in the league’s history.

The club worked simultaneously on a number of high-profile targets this summer, including Uruguayan forward Darwin Nunez and others, as Emmanuel Latte Lath departed for Union Berlin.

Embolo, 29, had 10 goals and three assists in 34 appearances (2,143 minutes) for Rennes last season. He previously featured for AS Monaco and Borussia Mönchengladbach in recent seasons.

The forward featured for Switzerland at the World Cup this summer, including picking up a controversial red card in the team’s elimination against Argentina. He has 26 goals in 92 caps for his country.

Embolo spearheads an attack between fellow designated players Miguel Almiron and Alexey Miranchuk. The club is trying to remake itself this year under head coach Tata Martino, with a number of incomings and departures. Atlanta is struggling, sitting dead last with 12 points after 18 matches so far this season.

Switzerland were knocked out of this summer’s World Cup at the quarter-final stage by Argentina, 3-1 after extra time. In the 72nd minute, Embolo received a second yellow card for mistaken identity. The decision sparked an outcry from Switzerland, as Embolo was initially awarded a free kick as it was adjudged he had been fouled by Argentina midfielder Leonardo Paredes, a decision overturned after referee Joao Pinheiro consulted VAR and showed Embolo a second booking for simulation.

Global football’s law-making body, IFAB, have since outlined guidelines that suggested Embolo’s red should not have been awarded.

Embolo scored twice and assisted two more goals at the tournament, and has played 92 games for Switzerland, scoring 26 times.

The move would end Embolo’s 12-year career in European football. Born in Yaounde, Cameroon, he came through the academy setup at Swiss Super League side Basel in 2014, playing for their first team for two seasons.

He then spent six seasons in the German Bundesliga from 2016 at Schalke and Borussia Monchengladbach, before moving to French side Monaco in 2022.