USMNT and Orlando City forward Duncan McGuire sees $6.5 million transfer to Blackburn Rovers collapse at final hurdle

The two clubs agreed to an initial fee of around $4 million, reports the Athletic, although add-ons would see the total value of the deal reach around $6.5 million. Orlando City were expectd to retain a sell-on clause as part of the transfer.

However, while McGuire was on a flight to England to complete the move, the deal fell apart, according to the Athletic, leaving his future up in the air.

The young striker has been in demand throughout the winter window, with Sheffield Wednesday also having bids rejected. Despite offering a similar financial deal, Sheffield Wednesday's payment plan didn't appeal to Orlando nearly as much as Blackburn's, who finally relented after initially proposing multiple loan-to-buy deals. The deal, however, never came to be as it fell apart at the final stages.

For McGuire, the proposed move comes just one year after he was selected by Orlando City in the MLS Draft. He scored 15 goals and provided three assists in his debut season, likely earning himself a spot on the U.S. Olympic team this summer. The 22-year-old forward recently made his U.S. men's national team debut, coming on as a substitute against Slovenia during January camp.

McGuire isn't the first striker that Orlando City has drafted to earn big European interest. Cyle Larin spent three seasons at the club before being sold to Besiktas in 2018, while Daryl Dike played just two seasons for the Lions before joining Barnsley on loan and then West Brom on a permanent deal.

McGuire's future is now in a state of limbo as all involved will be left scrambling to figure out a next move. The Blackburn deal's failure could open up the door for a club like Sheffield Wednesday to re-enter the race, although that remains to be seen.