Report: Godoy to stay with the Whitecaps - Most expensive center back in history?

Argentine center back Érik Godoy is expected to stay with the Vancouver Whitecaps according to a new report published on Thursday, Jan. 2, in the Argentine outlet El Santotomesino.

In the report, CA Colón president José Vignatti underlined that Godoy would join the Whitecaps on a more permanent deal in January. It is already the second time that Vignatti has spoken about a potential deal that would see Godoy stay in Vancouver.

On Dec. 26, 2019, in which Vignatti confirmed to Argentine outlet Soy Deportes the Whitecaps have triggered the $1.5 million purchase option in the loan agreement. 

Godoy spent the 2019 Major League Soccer season in Vancouver on loan from the Argentine Primera División side. The $1.5 million deal would make Godoy the most expensive center back in Whitecaps history.

“Érik is a dynamic center back with really good experience for his age,” Whitecaps coach Marc Dos Santos said in February in a report published by Pro Soccer USA after the Whitecaps signed the defender on loan from Colón.

“The Argentine league is an aggressive and intense league, a very competitive type of soccer,” Dos Santos added

Dos Santos used Godoy both as a center back but also as a right-back last season. Godoy played 29 games for the Whitecaps and scored one goal and one assist. 

Godoy staying would be good news for 'Caps fans. Vancouver sold defender Doneil Henry to the Korean side Suwon Samsung Bluewings. Henry’s transfer to Korea left the Whitecaps with just two learned center backs in the current squad, Derek Cornelius and Jasser Khmiri.