Pity Martinez’s MLS career has not worked out the way Atlanta United and its fans have hoped. The beleagured midfielder has struggled with form and, frankly, has fallen short of the expectations placed on him when the club bought him for over US$15 million in the offseason. Atlanta coach Frank de Boer was forced to take him out after 62 minutes in favor of Brandon Vazquez during Sunday’s 3-3 draw against the New York Red Bulls, criticizing the Argentine’s workrate during pointed postgame remarks.

With all that said, could Atlanta be looking to move Pity Martinez as early as this transfer window? If a report from TyC Sports reporter César Luis Merlo is to be believed, then that might be the case.

Roughly translated, Merlo says that the club is looking to loan Martinez to whoever is willing to pay the sizable fee needed for his services. However, according to Radio Continental River Plate reporter Sebastián Srur, a reunion with River Plate is probably out of the question.

#ClossContinental | 'Pity' Martínez, en conflicto con De Boer, no seguiría en el @ATLUTD y sería cedido a préstamo. Hoy por hoy, no hay chances que regrese a #River, cuenta @Sebasrur pic.twitter.com/v2xxUqmebY — Closs Continental (@ClossAM590) July 8, 2019

In Merlo’s case, he - and TyC - are highly respected in the sporting world. But will there ultimately be anything to these reports? Is it simply a matter of Martinez’s agent planting stories in the media to stir the pot? We’ll see what the end result is.