The question of where Cyle Larin will end up this winter is closer to being answered, although there may be a battle brewing for his services.
Turkish club Besiktas tweeted early Saturday that it is in talks with the Canadian striker, with discussions moving far enough ahead for Larin to undergo a medical in Istanbul.
Negotiations on for signing Canadian striker Cyle Larin as he undergoes physical at @ACIBADEMSPORTS
— Beşiktaş JK English (@BesiktasEnglish) January 13, 2018
# Beşiktaş #Football pic.twitter.com/QpurNjBzeJ
SIGN UP with DAZN to watch every Serie A, La Liga and Ligue 1 match LIVE and ON DEMAND
Larin, 22, spent the past three seasons with MLS club Orlando City SC after a successful college career at UConn. A Canadian international with five goals for his national team, Larin has also been linked with English side Leeds United and German club Borussia Mönchengladbach during the current transfer window.
It appears, however, that he is set join fellow Brampton, Ont., native Atiba Hutchinson at the Turkish side.
The biggest obstacle to the deal appears to be Orlando, which has stated that it will "will take all necessary action against Beşiktaş" in response to Saturday's announcement.
"Larin remains under contract with Orlando City through 2019 and is expected to join his teammates at preseason camp later this month," a club statement read.
This is not the first time MLS clubs have come into conflict with Turkish clubs over transfers. In 2016, FC Dallas and Trabzonspor butted heads over the transfer of Fabian Castillo, with the winger leaving Dallas without permission to do a deal. Despite that, the teams did end up coming to an agreement and Castillo joined Trabzonspor.
Larin was taken first overall in the 2015 MLS draft and has scored 43 goals in 87 appearances for Orlando. He won the MLS rookie of the year award following his inaugural season.
(With files from Goal's Ben Valentine)