RUMOR: Atlanta United targeting Jonathan Mensah and Stian Gregersen

MLS Scoop King Tom Bogert IDs potential replacements at centerback

Atlanta United may be on the verge of adding at least one experienced centerback to its very young defense.

According to The Athletic’s scoop wizard Tom Bogert, Atlanta United has identified MLS Free Agent Jonathan Mensah and Bourdeaux’s Norwegian international Stian Gregersen as two potential key signings this winter. With the likely departure of Miles Robinson and the return of Juanjo Purata to Tigres UANL, Atlanta needed an infusion of experience and in-prime talent to its young defensive corps made up of three Homegrown Players and Luis Abram.

At first glance, this does not feel like a scenario where Atlanta United would have to choose one or the other based on the different profiles and roles these players would offer the club. Ideally, Atlanta United would sign both.

In a recent analysis of this year’s class of MLS Free Agents, MLSSoccer.com’s Matthew Doyle sums up Mensah while describing why he would be an ideal signing for Atlanta this winter.

A great locker-room presence whose performance has dropped off the past few years, Mensah could nonetheless be a valuable depth piece for a young team.

Mensah is a classic MLS veteran centerback who was once seen as one of the best in the league. Mensah joined the Columbus Crew in 2017 as their fifth Designated Player and became the Crew’s captain in their MLS Cup-winning 2020 season. While the 33-year-old Mensah no longer showcases the same mobility and athleticism as in his younger days with the Crew, he still brings loads of experience and leadership that a young group like Atlanta United would need. He can still be a reliable player off the bench as a spot starter or an additional defender to close out matches.

Gregersen, on the other hand, would be the day-1 starter alongside Luis Abram. After successfully scouting France’s Ligue 2 in the summer transfer window to add Tristan Muyumba, Xande Silva, and Jamal Thiare, Carlos Bocanegra and Garth Lagerway return to their new favorite player pool to recruit Stian Gregersen. Gregersen has good speed and mobility, but his most attractive feature may be his passing. Not only can Gregersen play centerback, but he can also play as a towering defensive midfielder. Standing at about 6-foot 3-inches (1.91 meters), Gregersen would add height to an otherwise shorter starting defensive group. Just three years removed from playing with Bourdeaux in the Europa League and two years removed from Ligue 1, Gregersen fits the kind of experienced in-prime players the club has prioritized recently. After beginning his career in Norway, he transferred from Molde to Bourdeaux for 2 million euros.

Last year, Mensah earned over $1 million in salary in the final year of a contract extension signed with Columbus before being traded to San Jose. Atlanta would probably want to sign him for significantly less than that on a low TAM 2-year contract with a 3rd-year option. Gregersen would require a transfer fee to acquire. He will remain under contract for over two more years and could likely arrive as a high-TAM player requiring an international slot. MLS teams have reportedly sought to sign him in the past. In 2021, Sporting Kansas City offered $1.1 million to Molde but was outbid by Bourdeaux. One year later, it was FC Cincinnati’s turn to be seen scouting him in Bourdeaux’s 3-1 win over Metz. This year, it is Atlanta’s turn as Bourdeaux is expected to ask for $1.5 – 2 million. With Ligue 2’s winter transfer window set to open on January 1st, we can expect more rumors about this potential signing over the coming weeks.

What do you think about these potential signings? How would you feel if they represented the last additions to the defense this offseason? Let’s hear your thoughts in the comments below.