Update - Castillo did not travel with the team for FC Dallas' giant battle with Colorado on Saturday night. Earlier in the day, FC Dallas responded to the report by saying it was "not discussing it at this time."

original post

It was the tweet FC Dallas fans did not want to see.

Sources have confirmed Fabian Castillo is closing in on transfer to Trabzonspor, fee in $3-4 million range #DTID : https://t.co/GupdTb7XJ8 — Ives Galarcep (@SoccerByIves) July 23, 2016

Rumors of a Fabian Castillo move to clubs across Europe and Mexico have circulated for more than a year, but this one has a more legitimate vibe to it. First Ives Galarcep is one of soccer's more respected and sourced journalists and, second, talks about a move to Turkey actually revved up a few weeks ago. Fernando Clavijo, in a rare FCD move, actually came forward to explain that interest had been shown in the Colombian, but Fabian himself had decided to stay in Frisco for reasons ranging from wanting to win a MLS Cup to sensing Turkey wasn't the right place for him.

When I spoke to Clavijo about the rumors two weeks ago, during halftime of the July 4 game, his version of events clearly indicated there had been "several clubs interested" and a specific offer from a Turkish club. But it was Castillo who rejected the interest and the club never got to the point where it had to decide to consider the offer, simply because Castillo was more interested in what he had going on with FCD.

Clearly something has changed.

If Galarcep is correct, Castillo's change of mind probably can be tied to a better offer, input from an agent or simply his realization at 24 his soccer age on a global scale is older than maybe we consider it here stateside. We don't know the reality of the type or numbers of clubs that have expressed interest, but the noise level on Castillo has certainly dropped since last year and maybe Castillo senses this is his best offer and it would be risky to wait for another, better one.

This drops FC Dallas and Hunt family squarely behind the eight-ball. Castillo is a player they're desperate to keep in what is shaping up to be the club's most promising season in its 21 year history. The problem is, if the player wants to leave, history has taught the Hunts they're better off selling while the market is hot and the player hasn't had a chance to dip in form over being blocked from a move they want.

Both Brek Shea and Juan Toja are perfect examples of players who were sitting on top of the FCD roster at the time word was leaking out of foreign interest and the club was refusing to sell. The longer it went on in each case, the more each player began to look disinterested in their game for Dallas and we heard sources reporting both were unhappy campers. Eventually each got to the point Dallas had to sell and Toja ended up being sold Romanian club Steaua Bucharest for $1.6 million and Brek Shea to Stoke for $3.3 million.

Castillo is a moody, sensitive fellow and wears his emotional state on his sleeve. Since his surprise call-up to the Colombian National Team last season and the transfer rumors started last year his form and growing consistency noticeably dropped off. Some have wondered if the pressure was getting to him, or was he starting to show some frustration Dallas wouldn't allow him to move on. If Castillo now wants to go to Trabzonspor, Dan Hunt all but has to oblige and take what he can get.

On Twitter fans have expressed surprise Castillo is only commanding a sale of "only" $3-4 million. Some of the player's perceived value has been warped by previous unconfirmed reports clubs had offered $5 million plus, and that FCD was waiting for nothing less than $10 million. Reality is Castillo's value in the global market topped at $5M and for as much as he's a fan favorite Castillo's consistency issues and well documented problems of making the right decisions in the final third certainly impact what clubs would be willing to offer. $4M for Fabian may seem low with the FCD glasses on, but in reality it's a fair price for a player who still has a lot to prove. (ex: Castillo is not in MLS top 10 for goals, assists or shots this season or 2015, and not even leading FCD in any of those categories)

This is terrible timing for Dallas to lose Castillo. While 2016 has not been his best year and he's been wildly inconsistent from game to game, he still is the team's most dangerous attacking penetrator and helps make his teammates more dangerous because of the attention he draws.

If in fact he moves, the impact on the 2016 season will be immeasurable. With league, USOC and CONCACAF Champions League games stuffed into the calendar he's a must, but if he's sold the pressure on the Hunts to replace him with something of equal or greater value will be off the charts.

The last three signings are players from the furthest reaches of the global soccer radar (if they'd actually been on it at all), but a Castillo replacement will have to be both impactful and recognizable to codify a fanbase who will certainly be confused and mad Castillo was sold off at this point. If the Hunts think they're having problems selling out a reduced capacity stadium now, having to do that without their circus-wire attraction will both cut off the interlopers and part time fans, it will also alienate an already unsettled fan base. Oh, and the MLS summer transfer window closes in about 10 days.

The club has yet to comment on the matter and certainly these types of reports have been wrong before. So, at this moment this is "much to do about nothing". We'll see.

In the meantime, let's just enjoy this while we can.