D.C. United winger Paul Arriola is a target for Championship club Swansea City, sources confirmed to MLSsoccer.com. Yahoo Sports' Doug McIntyre first reported Swansea's interest.
Any potential move would likely be a loan with purchase option for the high-flying second-tier side. They currently sit second in the Championship, which would earn an automatic promotion to the Premier League. Third through sixth enter the promotion playoffs for the final Premier League spot.
Swansea are heavily linked with a move for Seattle Sounders winger Jordan Morris as well. Their interest in Arriola is in addition to Morris, not one or the other.
The Welsh club often play in a 3-5-2 formation, meaning Arriola would likely be pegged for the right wingback spot if a deal gets done. Another hurdle would be registration. Arriola is expected to be granted a work permit, but roster rules in England only allow a specific number of loan players in any given matchday squad.
Arriola, who turns 26 in February, signed with D.C. United in 2017 after beginning his career with Liga MX side Club Tijuana. The US international has 14 goals and 12 assists in 69 MLS appearances. He suffered a torn ACL in preseason ahead of the 2020 season but battled to return to make his lone appearance off the bench in DC's final match of the season.
A regular under Gregg Berhalter, Arriola has 34 caps with the USMNT. He can play on either wing, central attacking midfield, right wing back or even right back at times.
D.C. United majority owner Jason Levien is also a co-owner of Swansea City.
