Minnesota United: 5 players who could leave this offseason

1. Vito Mannone

There isn’t a player that Minnesota United fans want back in 2020 more than Vito Mannone, but things are a bit more complicated than simply bringing him back. Mannone arrived on a season-long loan from English Championship side Reading back in February, and though he’s out of favor with Reading, his contract with the club doesn’t end until July.

If Minnesota has to pay a transfer fee for Mannone, it could push him into DP territory, and DP goalkeepers are always a hard sell for fans no matter how well-liked the player is, so it would be another tough decision for the front office.

Minnesota’s best bet to sign the Italian permanently would likely be to extend his loan by six more months and then sign him on a free transfer in July when his contract is up. When asked about the prospect of returning to Minnesota after the Loons playoff loss to the Galaxy, Mannone said he’s ‘open to it’, but that it’s ultimately up to the club to make that decision.

Minnesota United would like to bring Mannone back, but it might be beyond their control. He is a terrific goalkeeper, and that, eventually, might be part of the problem.