FC Dallas technical director Fernando Clavijo said he would be open to using the top spot in the MLS allocation order to bring back former FCD and current Trabzonspor midfielder Fabian Castillo.
Dallas obtained the top spot in the MLS allocation order back in December, when it traded defender Walker Zimmerman to Los Angeles FC. Dallas also obtained $250,000 in general allocation money and $250,000 in targeted allocation money in the deal.
The allocation order allows teams to acquire players who fall under one of three criteria: players who played in MLS previously and were transferred out of the league; select U.S. youth internationals; and some core U.S. national team players.
Castillo, 25, is on the list after being transferred to Trabzonspor in 2016. The deal took place amid some acrimony given that Dallas was in the middle of what would become a double-winning season. Castillo also did plenty to force the move by traveling to Turkey prior to the deal being finalized. But Clavijo on Thursday indicated he wouldn't let that stop him from bringing Castillo back.
"If Castillo is available, and we could fit him in [the salary budget], then yes we would be open to that," said Clavijo via telephone. "He has a contract in Turkey, but he would be attractive for sure."
After making 34 league and cup appearances and scoring three goals during the 2016-17 campaign, Castillo has found playing time harder to come by this season, failing to score in 10 league and cup appearances. A recent report out of Turkey suggested Castillo is looking to move on.
Clavijo stressed that there has been no contact with Castillo as of yet, and the FCD technical director looks to be taking a wait-and-see approach.
"We're going to let it ride," he said of a potential move for Castillo. "If it happens great, if not, we can do something else [with the allocation spot]."
Castillo spent part of six seasons in Dallas, scoring 35 goals and adding 30 assists in 167 league and playoff appearances.
Prior to his stint in Dallas, Castillo rose through the ranks at Colombian side Deportivo Cali.