French winger Nicolas Benezet is in discussions with three MLS teams, sources tell MLSsoccer.com. He was on loan with Toronto FC from EA Guingamp last season, though the club opted not to exercise his purchase option of $500,000 and the loan expired.
Benezet wants to stay in MLS and if a team could reach an agreement with the player, they would pay Guingamp a $500,000 transfer fee as well as having to acquire his MLS rights from TFC.
Toronto have not yet received a concrete offer for his rights, per source.
It's been an eventful offseason for the winger. Benezet gave an interview to French outlet L'Equipe in which he spoke of his frustrations at not returning to Toronto and just before Christmas he bid farewell to Toronto fans in a tweet while wishing the team well for next season.
But his representatives are now focused on ensuring a return to the league.
Benezet, 28, joined Toronto over the summer and made eight appearances (five starts) during the regular season, adding two goals. He was an integral part of the club's ride to MLS Cup, scoring a key goal against Atlanta United in the Eastern Conference Final. He started all four playoff games, including when TFC lost in MLS Cup to the Seattle Sounders.
Benezet had 12 goals and 10 assists in 86 overall appearances for Guingamp and has appeared in 130 Ligue 1 matches across his career.
