Luis Muriel wants to leave Orlando City, and that's a good thing

From Bryan Róchez and Carlos Rivas to Alexandre Pato and Ercan Kara, Orlando City have earned quite the reputation over the years for squandering considerable resources on underperforming strikers. It's no surprise that the club's most celebrated centre forwards have all come out of the collegiate system.

Luis Muriel was supposed to be the man to buck that trend. Arriving from Italian high-flyers Atalanta in 2024 with quite the goalscoring reputation, Orlando supporters dreamed their new Designated Player would be the talisman they needed to lead them to that elusive first MLS Cup.

Yes, Óscar Pareja's men made it all the way to the Eastern Conference Final last year, but this oh-so-near run was, unfortunately, in spite of Muriel, not because of him. Five goals in 43 appearances was a pitiful return for a player earning $4.3 million a year in total compensation, let alone with a reputation as lauded as his.

The 34-year-old did post an improved showing in 2025, but 12 goals in 41 games surely still falls short of expectations when the likes of Martín Ojeda and Marco Pašalić, two of Major League Soccer's most productive attackers, spoon-feed you chances on the regular.

With Orlando's season long since dead and buried, the only thing keeping us going over the coming months are the customary transfer rumours - some realistic, some not - that the off-season brings. Muriel himself has contributed to this frenzy, being interviewed by Colombian media earlier in the week while in attendance at his boyhood club Atlético Junior's victory over league rivals Atlético Nacional.

"I have a great desire and a lot of longing to wear the Junior jersey," the striker said. Born and raised just a matter of miles from Junior's Estadio Metropolitano home in Barranquilla, Muriel spent his formative year's in the club's youth set-up before moving to Deportivo Cali, where he turned professional.

The time is right

Of course, with one year still remaining on his current deal, nothing is set in stone.

However, if an agreement can be reached between Muriel and the two clubs, then this move at this point in time would be the best way forward for all parties. His mind is clearly set.

At his age, he doesn't have much time left to make his dream a reality. He's still fit and playing regular football, but that might not be the case in a year's time when his contract runs out.

At the same time, he isn't getting any younger or fitter. If Orlando truly have ambitions to put right the shortcomings of this season, they must move on, too.

None of this is to say that Muriel won't give his all if he remains with Orlando beyond December, but, quite naturally, he wants to finish what was been a storied career right where it began.

One door closes, another opens

Let's face it, Muriel's salary is entirely unjustifiable.

Not only would his departure free Orlando of their highest earner, but it would open up a Designated Player spot to be filled during the off-season.

Obviously, the Muriel deal hasn't worked out as hoped, but Orlando's front office have certainly masterminded more high-profile hits than misses in recent times. Facundo Torres served as the first real indication that the club's identity-driven, youth-focused recruitment policy would come to fruition, but this has become more evident by the year.

Supporters should have full faith in Ricardo Moreira and the club's scouting network to successfully locate and recruit Orlando's next star.

Orlando already have a proven goalscorer at this level

I am well aware this one may raise a few eyebrows, but I really don't understand why.

Duncan McGuire is a proven goalscorer in this league. There's a reason why Blackburn Rovers and Sheffield Wednesday were battlling it out for his signature in 2024, even if his dream move would ultimately collapse right in front of his eyes through no fault of his own.

Lethal in the air, composed in front of goal, and comfortable in the build-up, the Creighton product is everything that Muriel hasn't been during his spell in Orlando.

Yes, McGuire has endured a pretty torrid year thanks to successive long-term shoulder injuries, but with any luck, he's weathered the very worst of it.

If given consistent minutes, he will rediscover that form of old again. Orlando should allow him this opportunity.