Agent: Plata could be target for Liga MX sides in 2018

Well, it doesn’t look like Joao Plata is going anywhere this year.

Next year, though? That’s anyone’s guess. Plata’s agent, for his part, talked to Ecuadorian outlet Afición Central about the player and where he could be playing in 2018.

If you had Mexico, you were right. And it wasn’t really a stretch, given the other agent-created rumors that have floated around. This report says that Plata could go to Mexico in 2018 simply because there’s interest from Mexican clubs.

Just two months ago, this would have seemed pretty accurate and probably expected. Plata hadn’t been performing, and he had established a poor rapport with RSL coach Mike Petke. Now, though? Now, we have Plata scoring goals, contributing, and earning praise for the way in which he’s stepped up.

My take? Why wouldn’t Plata be a target for Mexican teams right now? He’s proven he can perform in MLS, and as the parity between Liga MX and MLS continues to strengthen, we’re going to see more players who can replicate their success. I’d argue that if Plata wasn’t a target, he ought to be, because he can, when he wants to, be an extremely valuable player to a team.

So does this rumor pass the smell test? Sure, I think so — but only because it’s vague and doesn’t provide any meaningful detail aside from ‘interest.’

Then again, maybe he leaves. We’ll have to wait and see.