Sources: FC Nantes finalizing deal for Rapids’ Chidozie Awaziem

The Colorado Rapids back line has taken a major hit Sources proven to The Denver Post that French club FC Nantes is finalizing a deal to sign Rapids center back Chidozie Awaziem Family played a role in the move as Awaziem s is not in the U S sources added Awaziem played for Nantes as a -year old from - and has seen nine clubs in three continents over the class of his career The -year-old Nigerian international joined the Rapids last offseason in a move from FC Cincinnati that sent Awaziem and center back partner Ian Murphy to Colorado in exchange for million in General Allocation Money GAM He discovered an integral role within coach Chris Armas s system hurriedly and cemented himself as arguably the organization s best defender He became a bit of a fan favorite in Colorado with a no-nonsense style defensively an ability to pull impressive passes from his hat and a kind-hearted demeanor He started all matches he played for the Rapids and recorded an assist to Darren Yapi against San Diego FC back in April He missed a match a scant weeks ago for personal reasons Wednesday night in what may have been Awaziem s final match in a Rapids jersey he played all minutes in a -all thriller in which the Rapids came all the way back from down - Early this season he was central in a disagreement in which LAFC athlete Sergi Palencia was accused of using a derogatory term toward Awaziem in the second match of the Concacaf Champions Cup first round series The soccer confederation launched an analysis but concluded the term Awaziem alleged was not used More in the past few days the Rapids agreed to a million transfer fee to sign Israeli center back Stav Lemkin from Ukrainian club Shakhtar Donetsk The deal was all but finalized but Lemkin backed out of the transfer and instead went to Dutch side FC Twente where he s now playing In hindsight that move was potentially a preemptive succession plan for Awaziem as it s highly unlikely the Rapids would spend that sort of money for a bench athlete or to move Awaziem or Andreas Maxs to the bench in favor of Lemkin On that front the Rapids are targeting a limited options at center back for the MLS secondary transfer window which begins next Thursday July There could be more back-line instability with Saudi Arabian teams having announced interest in Maxs over the offseason That option is not off the table whether it be this window or when his base contract expires after this season he has a club option for Rapids interested in Colombian midfielder Alexis Manyoma Sources ratified to The Post that the Rapids are in talks with Argentinian club Estudiantes for -year old Colombian midfielder Alexis Manyoma A deal is far from being struck but could potentially be a decent grab to begin the transfer window at the right price This season he s been in and out of Estudiantes s lineup with most of of his appearances coming off the bench In of them in he s played minutes at a variety of positions but mostly as a winger If he were transferred or loaned to Colorado he d likely set up shop out wide on a Rapids club with a bevy of central mids and a yearning for more wing production