TRANSFER TRACKER STATUS: Rumor

Sebastian Mendez appears to be staying put at Orlando City SC, following a report linking him to a potential transfer back to his native Ecuador.

The Monday report from Bolavip.com cited Mendez, along with former FC Dallas man Carlos Gruezo, as possible targets for Ecuadorian side LDU Quito, which is in the market for a new defensive midfielder due to the probable departure of on-loan starter Jefferson Orejuela. But the Lions don't seem inclined to make such a move, with LDU director and executive committee president Esteban Paz noting in an interview with Radio La Red 102.1 in Ecuador on Tuesday that talks between the sides didn't gain much traction and that Orlando rejected a hefty $7 million offer from another club for the 23-year-old midfielder.

.@EstebanPazR: Orlando de la MLS está reacio por cederlo a Sebastián Méndez, rechazó una oferta de 7 millones de dólares de otro club. Carlos Gruezo podría ser una posibilidad pero más nos acercamos a traer un jugador extranjero @LDU_Oficial #DesdeLasCanchasEc — Radio La Red 102.1FM (@LaRedEcuador) December 24, 2019

That's a solid indication of how highly Orlando City rate Mendez, who joined the club from Ecuador's Independiente del Valle ahead of the 2019 season. Mendez appeared in 23 games for the Lions in 2019, starting 20, and playing 1,814 minutes. Prior to moving to MLS, Mendez made 81 appearances across all competitions for Independiente. He also did a stint on loan in Spain with Cultural Leonesa in 2015-16 and has 14 senior caps for Ecuador's national team.