Gerard Nijkamp will soon depart the shores of the Ohio River for others, both foreign and domestic.

The time of year is fast-approaching when Nijkamp, FC Cincinnati's general manager, will oversee the scouting and technical staffs as they fly into action in an effort to improve the club for the 2020 season.

While Nijkamp is preparing for a weeks-long trip in hopes of bettering the club while he's away, he spoke on Friday with The Enquirer, The Athletic and FC Cincinnati staff during a round-table interview session ahead of the trip.

Among the topics discussed were Fanendo Adi, FC Cincinnati's goalkeepers and Allan Cruz, who was this week named the team's most valuable player.

The latest on Fanendo Adi

It's unclear if Fanendo Adi will be in FC Cincinnati's long-term plans. He has a guarantee in his contract that could see him return to the Orange and Blue next season, but that doesn't mean he'll be back.

Nijkamp said Cincinnati used part of this past summer's FIFA transfer window to move Adi to a club where he could get more playing time. That didn't come to pass, but the club is still open to moving him if it is mutually beneficial

"Is there coming a club for him and it can help all the parties? We are open for that and we will discuss," Nijkamp said. "But if not, then he will stay here in Cincinnati."

Fans remain interested in the future of Adi, the club's highest-paid player, after a season in which parts of the roster were built around him prior to Adi failing to stay healthy on a consistent basis.

Adi hasn't played since starting against New England Revolution July 21 and has just 12 appearances and a goal to his name in MLS play.

There's a difference between being injured and match-fit to play in an MLS game. After multiple, lengthy bouts with injury this season, Adi's name has disappeared from FC Cincinnati's weekly injury list, and he's training with the club again.

He's still not ready to contribute, though. That was the assessment Nijkamp offered Friday in discussing Adi's lack of appearances recently.

"A player in the process to be fit and can produce for the team and how the professionals are thinking about where he is - where we want to have him - and on what path he is on the roster. That's two completely different worlds," Nijkamp said. "Every player wants to play every day, also when there is no fitness, but we have a responsibility to ourselves... to bring the best team on the pitch."

Nijkamp described an open dialogue between Adi and his agent, and said all parties were on the same page.

Adi wasn't made available for comment Tuesday. On Friday, he was unavailable to speak.

The outlook at goalkeeper

Hypothetically, FC Cincinnati could upgrade at any position this offseason but Nijkamp indicated during his Friday remarks the club's goalkeeping situation appears to be well in-hand.

Przemysław Tytoń is guaranteed for next season while Spencer Richey has a club option for 2020.

Nijkamp didn't disclose if the club would pick up the option for Richey, who returned to training Friday for the first time in weeks.

While some fans have insisted the goalkeepers are to blame for the club's struggling defense, in fact, the tandem of Tyton and Richey proved effective at times.

Under the guidance of head goalkeeping coach Jack Stern, goalkeeper has hardly been Cincinnati's biggest weakness in terms of on-field production.

The position has, however, been one of concern in terms of injuries and continuity. Tytoń and Richey have both missed extended time due to various ailments, and FC Cincinnati head coach Ron Jans said it's unlikely Richey will play again in 2019.

Looking to 2021, West End stadium

A new tier of players has been emerging for FC Cincinnati throughout the 2019 season. Some are already in the club. Others are yet to join, but this tier means that the player is considered worthy of continuing on into the club's forthcoming West End stadium.

So far, FC Cincinnati has at least two players of that caliber, Nijkamp said: Allan Cruz, who will enter in 2020 the second and final guaranteed year of a deal that could keep him with the club through 2022, and Frankie Amaya.

"Allan Cruz becomes (FC Cincinnati 2019) MVP, so he is one of these players," Nijkamp said. "He's, for us, the future, and if I say Frankie Amaya, he's also our future."

Cruz is tied for the team leads in goals in 2019 with six. He also has one assist.