Charlotte FC among MLS clubs still tracking Uruguayan starlet Luciano Rodriguez after move to Girona and City Football Group falls through

Charlotte FC had previously shown interestin Rodriguez earlier this year, but the young attacker's future seemed set amid links to Girona. City Football Group had been eyeing the Liverpool Montevideo starlet, who were linked with a €15 million ($16.3m) move for Rodriguez. They weren't alone, though, as Feyenoord and River Plate had also been linked.

However, a proposed move to Girona fell apart. Sources tell GOAL that Liverpool Montevideo's insistence on keeping a 25 percent sell-on clause was one of the factors that prevented CFG from getting the deal over the line.

Now, as the summer rolls on, Charlotte FC is among the clubs keeping tabs on the situation as the club could reenter the race to sign the 20-year-old attacker. Charlotte was previously in advanced talks to make Rodriguez a record signing before CFG emerged as the frontrunner to sign him.

In the months since the initial push to sign the Uruguayan attacker, Charlotte FC has spent to acquire Israeli star Liel Abada as a young Designated Player. Following the departure of DP Enzo Copetti, the club still has room to add one more DP this summer, with head coach Dean Smith saying that he's targeting a new attacker.

"I think we need a nine at the club," Smith told reporters. "I want a natural goalscorer who's going to go and compete with all this."

Charlotte is continuing to monitor ROdriguez's availability in the wake of the failed Girona move, but they aren't alone. Sources say other MLS clubs are discussing the winger as well, although few will be able to meet the large transfer fee required, particularly with Liverpool Montevideo's insistence on a sell-on clause.

Rodriguez has been a star for Uruguay at the youth level, having scored the winning goal in the U-20 World Cup against Italy to help his side claim that trophy for the first time. He also earned his first three caps for Uruguay ahead of this summer's Copa America, although the 20-year-old future star was not selected for Marcelo Bielsa's final tournament squad.

Charlotte FC are set to face FC Cincinnati on Saturday in their next MLS match. Rodriguez and Liverpool Montevideo, meanwhile, will also be playing on Saturday as they face Rampla Juniors.