FUT Esports strengthened their lineup ahead of the second half of the season by bringing in Yasin “xfl0ud” Koç from HEROIC, and the move paid off almost immediately. The young player slotted into the roster well, and a runner-up finish at the Esports World Cup pushed the Turkish organization up to 4th place on the September VRS ranking. Despite that success, it now looks like FUT are not done shopping and are eyeing another upgrade – this time on the sniper spot.
Why cmtry Is on the Chopping Block
Nikita “cmtry” Samolotov has become the name most often linked to a possible swap. His inconsistency has been a recurring issue, and at the top level that kind of volatility is especially costly for a dedicated sniper. He did earn MVP honors when FUT won the Tier 1 event PGL Bucharest back in April, but outside of that highlight the 18-year-old has long posted the lowest numbers on the team.
The Long Chase for SunPayus
Rumors that FUT were pursuing Álvaro “SunPayus” García first surfaced in early July, when the Spanish rifler was sitting on the bench at G2 Esports. After spending their budget on xfl0ud, FUT reportedly couldn’t afford SunPayus at the time and instead tried out Henrich “sl3nd” Hevesi and Alan “flayy” Krupa. Neither trial worked out, and both options were eventually dropped.
SunPayus, however, apparently remained the organization’s top target throughout. A recent denial from a FUT representative suggested the roster would stay unchanged, but that story took an unexpected turn today: HLTV.org reported that FUT Esports are now close to finalizing a deal to sign SunPayus.
What the Move Would Mean
Adding to the intrigue, SunPayus was reportedly spotted on FUT’s training server just days ago – a strong hint that the two sides have already been working together behind the scenes. If the transfer from G2 Esports goes through, the young FUT lineup would gain an experienced player capable of doubling as a secondary in-game caller. SunPayus isn’t known as a flashy AWP superstar, but as an all-around piece he could be exactly the stabilizing addition this roster needs.
If you want to keep tabs on how the broader Counter-Strike 2 scene is shaping up around this transfer window, check out our ongoing coverage on the CS2 news hub. We’ve also been following the domestic scene closely, including the confirmed format for the Tipsport MČR CS 2026, and looked ahead at the calendar with our piece on the Shanghai Major already confirmed for 2027.
FAQ
According to a recent report, FUT Esports are close to signing Álvaro “SunPayus” García, who has been benched at G2 Esports.
Nikita “cmtry” Samolotov is seen as the most likely player to be moved out, mainly due to inconsistent performances in the sniper role.
After signing xfl0ud, FUT didn’t have the budget to land SunPayus right away and instead tested Henrich “sl3nd” Hevesi and Alan “flayy” Krupa, but neither option worked out for the team.
A second-place finish at the Esports World Cup helped FUT climb to 4th place on the VRS ranking for September.
Beyond his rifle and AWP work, SunPayus is regarded as capable of serving as a secondary in-game caller, which could add stability to FUT’s young lineup.