Are the Red Bulls close to signing a center back?

When someone closes a door, they open a window.

Over the past 24 hours media reports have suggested that the New York Red Bulls were prepared to pay a transfer fee for HJK center back Gideon Baah. Baah is a native Ghanaian and has been playing for the Helsinki-based club since 2014.

Now, Rahman Osman from Ghanasoccernet.com says that the potential deal may be accelerating:

@EF1234_1 Yeah even today i spoke to an official from RBNY who traveled all the way to Finland just to finalize the deal, announcement soon

— rahman osman (@iamrahmanosman) February 3, 2016

With Ronald Zubar hurt in preseason, and Matt Mizaga sold to Chelsea FC, RBNY's center back corps looks depleted. Currently Karl Ouimette and Damien Perrinelle are the only signed CB's on the roster, but Perrinelle is out until April.

It was reported by Ghanasoccernet.com that Barcelona B had made an offer for Baah, but other outlets have denied such reports citing quotes from Baah.

If Baah does not end up in New York, 2016 superdraft second round pick Zack Carroll could be signed just to the team has two healthy center backs.

With the MLS season well over a month away from starting, the Red Bulls have plenty of time to sort out their roster. In the meantime please take a look at the greatest Instagram page ever to grace the RBNY sphere of influence, courtesy of a former Barcelona B player.