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Uruguayan side Nacional says Carlos Valdés will arrive in Montevideo tomorrow to finalize a deal that would put him on a one-year loan. The club posted a bulletin on their website today saying that the 29-year-old center back is scheduled to arrive in the Uruguayan capitol tomorrow at noon UYST (9:00 AM EST) to sign the paperwork that would see him return to South America through 2015.
Valdés llega a Montevideo http://t.co/9AX5IHRYxM pic.twitter.com/o3cpwpf5sR
— Nacional (@nacional) February 4, 2015
Valdés has had a bit of a rocky time with things lately. He was loaned out from the Philadelphia Union to Colombian side Santa Fe for the 2013 season and then loaned out to Argentine side San Lorenzo for the first half of 2014, which saw Valdés represent his native Colombia in the World Cup and lead San Lorenzo to the Copa Libertadores semifinal. However after the World Cup, Valdés refused to play for San Lorenzo, claiming that he had not been paid in six months. The loan was terminated and Valdés returned to Philadelphia. Out of shape from not playing in over a month, Valdés saw action in eight of the Union's final twelve games and seemed to be ready to focus on the 2015 season with the club. However just days before training camp started, rumors began swirling about Nacional's interest. On the day of the Union's first practice, Valdés showed up in street clothes and had a meeting with the coaching staff, and was notably absent from the club's second practice - the Open Practice at YSC on January 30.
This move could see the Union move on the target striker they've been rumored to be after, since a good chunk of salary cap will be freed up if Valdés leaves (even on loan). That being said, it raises questions as to who will play at center back. Maurice Edu has been tipped by Jim Curtin to be a starting center back, and the Edu-Valdés tandem looked to be good, however it could be either Edu and Ethan White on the back line, White and Austin Berry in back with Edu at central defensive midfielder, or the Union could be looking to bring in a new center back altogether. All in all though, the Union will have more than a few options should Valdés be bound for Uruguay.