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Midfielder has grown into a key part of a MLS Cup contender.

Player development is both art and science, simultaneously brimming with intangibles and ruled by cold, hard numbers – like how quickly a youngster matures and masters the fundamentals, when and how t...

YouTube video by Seattle Sounders FC

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Midfielder has grown into a key part of a MLS Cup contender.

<p>There was at least some fire causing all that Obed Vargas-transfer rumor smoke, it appears. None other than Atlético Madrid — the club Vargas has been a fan of since a young age — is in talks with the Seattle Sounders about a potential move, according to <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7013957/2026/02/01/obed-vargas-atletico-madrid-seattle-sounders-transfer/" rel="noreferrer">The Athletic</a>. Adding even more credence to the report is Spain-based reporter <a href="https://x.com/martindelp/status/2018030589937652005?s=46&amp;t=0qa2d4DTB3ZQjafL3T29-g" rel="noreferrer">Martin del Palacio</a>, who says Atlético is joined by some unnamed clubs in England trying to secure Vargas' move. The transfer windows in both England and Spain close on Monday. </p><p>As of Sunday morning, details are still extremely vague. There are no dollar amounts attached to this rumor, nor is it clear when Vargas would be expected to leave the Sounders. </p><figure class="kg-card kg-bookmark-card"><a class="kg-bookmark-container" href="https://www.sounderatheart.com/2025/10/obed-vargas-just-keeps-growing/"><div class="kg-bookmark-content"><div class="kg-bookmark-title">Obed Vargas just keeps growing</div><div class="kg-bookmark-description">Midfielder has grown into a key part of a MLS Cup contender.</div><div class="kg-bookmark-metadata"><img class="kg-bookmark-icon" src="https://www.sounderatheart.com/content/images/icon/Untitled--3--1-469.png" alt="" /><span class="kg-bookmark-author">Sounder at Heart</span><span class="kg-bookmark-publisher">Tim Ostlund-Foss</span></div></div><div class="kg-bookmark-thumbnail"><img src="https://www.sounderatheart.com/content/images/thumbnail/YrjyRsfo-2.png" alt="" /></div></a></figure><p>Even if a deal is struck, it's entirely possible that Vargas could remain with the Sounders through the summer. Considering the caliber of teams apparently interested in Vargas, it seems unlikely that they'd be looking for him to join at midseason. Remaining with the Sounders, then, would give him a much clearer path to playing time and optimize his chances of making the Mexico World Cup roster. Vargas has just three senior national team caps, but has <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/nayibmoran.bsky.social/post/3mdis5ahpbs2g" rel="noreferrer">apparently impressed assistant coach Rafa Marquez</a>, who is reportedly being allowed to pick several players with an eye toward the future.</p><p>The Sounders seem unlikely to be driving a hard bargain at this point. Vargas has made clear that he intends to leave at the end of his current contract, and this is likely the Sounders' last chance to cash in. While the Sounders are unlikely to extract maximum value at this point, a modest fee combined with a future sell-on percentage would be significant. If he's also allowed to stay here until the World Cup, it's even better.</p>

Vargas talked about how he had grown up a fan of Atlético before a Sounders matchup against the club in the 2024 FIFA Club World Cup.

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