Pikachu comes to New York, pursued by MLS transfer rumor

Yago Pikachu is a 26-year-old right-sided defender/midfielder, currently contracted to heavyweight Brazilian club Vasco da Gama. There is no rumor linking him to the New York Red Bulls, but give it time: per UOL, he is on holiday in the USA at the moment and an Instagram snap of himself outside American Airlines Arena in Miami was quickly followed by a story in the Brazilian press that Orlando City had lined up to pay the reported $20 million fee required for his services.

As spotted by MetroFan TV’s Fernando Gonzalez, Pikachu has since moved on to New York City:

MFTV got in early on the Pikachu-to-MLS buzz, more in hope than expectation:

The brains behind MFTV were an animating force behind last year’s #KakuWatch, so if the Pikachu rumor mill does turn its attention to RBNY, be prepared. Watch MFTV anyway, while you’re waiting.

As it happens, the allegedly in-demand Pikachu (“Asia, especially Japan, Europe, and the United States” is the broad summary of his suitors provided by lance.com) is in need of a new MLS club aboard his transfer-talk bandwagon. Orlando City appeared to conclusively remove itself from the Pikachu chatter via a statement from the club’s VP of Communications, Diogo Kotscho. Per Vasco Noticias, Kotscho said:

With all due respect to the player, at no time did we begin this negotiation, it is an interesting athlete, but it is not the priority of the club at the moment.

To recap, Yago Pikachu is a Brazilian soccer player with an eye-catching scoring record, currently contracted to Vasco da Gama. He is 26 years old and rumored to be on the move. He has started taking English lessons.

While he was on holiday in Florida, a rumor popped up that Orlando City had stepped forward with an interest in paying a transfer fee thought to be set at $20 million. OCSC has since denied the rumor. Pikachu has taken his vacation to New York City and the rumor mill needs a candidate for his services to fill the gap left by Orlando.

Could the gap be filled by RBNY? The rumor mill can do as it pleases, but it would be a surprise to hear any suggestion the RalfBalling Red Bulls of New York were getting ready to thrown down $20 million on a 26-year-old.

But Once A Metro likes surprises. Your move, rumor mill.