Polish midfielder opts to join team in Kazakhstan rather than Sounders

UPDATE: It looks like Goralski will join FC Kairat rather than the Sounders, meaning the Sounders could be forced to go back to the drawing board when it comes to finding a defensive midfielder.

With the Gregore rumor mill suddenly going cold, their possible pursuit of Poland international Jacek Goralski appears to remain active. The 27-year-old defensive midfielder is out of contract with Bulgaria powerhouse Ludogorets Razgrad in June and has apparently taken the step of not traveling with his team for some upcoming friendlies in Turkey.

While previous reports had suggested the Sounders were one of as many as a dozen clubs showing interest in acquiring him, the latest reports suggest they are just one of two teams Goralski is still considering. One report says Kazakhstan’s FC Kairat has made the most lucrative offer, which seems to give them the inside track and several reports suggest that’s the team he’s most likely to join.

One thing that could play in the Sounders favor is the level of competition. Fellow Polish midfielder Przemysław Frankowski plays for the Chicago Fire and striker Jaroslaw Niezgoda is rumored to be close to joining the Portland Timbers.

Goralski appears to be more of a classic destroyer, and less of a playmaker than the Sounders have usually had at that position. But he has done that well enough to earn a regular spot on a competitive Poland national team, including two starts in the 2018 World Cup and four appearances in recent Euro 2020 qualifiers. He’s also helped lead Ludogorets into European competition each of the past three seasons.

This story was originally published on Jan. 13 and updated on Jan. 15.