The summer transfer window is right around the corner, and it is only fair to assume that New York City FC have at least a small shopping list prepared for the occasion. With Andrea Pirlo rapidly approaching the end of his stay in the Bronx - be it voluntarily or by force - as well as loanee Yangel Herrera being slated to return to Manchester City at the end of the calendar year, the Boys in Blue will have some midfield spaces to fill come 2018.

Initially, there were rumors regarding NYCFC’s interest in defensive midfielder Lebogang Phiri, who currently plays for Danish club Brøndby IF as well as the South African national team. Phiri, a deep-lying playmaker set to be a free agent this summer, was linked to New York City as early as January of this year. The team even went as far as to offer Brøndby a reported $650,000 - which was ultimately denied - for the South African international’s services.

And now, another name has reportedly been added to the Bronx Blues’ shortlist.

According to ColumbiaDeportivo.com, Costa Rican midfielder Ulises Segura will be leaving current club Deportivo Saprissa this summer to play abroad. According to his representative, an unnamed club in Belgium is currently the strongest candidate to receive the 23-year-old Segura’s talents, but that MLS sides NYCFC and DC United as well as three undisclosed Mexican clubs were also said to have had shown interest. On his Transfermarkt page, Segura is valued at about €250,000, which translates to a little over $280,000, and is listed as being primarily an attacking midfielder, though he is capable of playing the right wing. Over the course of his two years with Saprissa, Segura amassed 6 goals in 38 appearances. He also has three appearances with the Costa Rican national team.

Despite the fact that the de facto #10 position is currently occupied by DP Maxi Moralez and the right wing by wunderkind Jack Harrison, Segura could be the answer, or at least provide relief, to what has seemed like a lack of depth this season in the midfield. Pirlo has not played effectively thus far, Herrera is only temporary, Mikey Lopez is still fighting for his spot, and Alex Ring plays more effectively in a box-to-box role. Not to mention that Segura could gel well into a squad that has two fellow Ticos in Rodney Wallace and Ronald Matarrita. And as a free transfer, he may come at a bargain price.