Jerome Miron-USA Today Sports
During an interview on Fox Sports’ Soccer Daily, Los Angeles Galaxy and USMNT star Landon Donovan hinted that he has received some “intriguing offers” and is “open in a way (to leave MLS) in a way I haven’t before.”
With his current designated player contract ending with the Galaxy this season, he has a choice to make, and the rumors will continue to swirl.
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With the Galaxy signing Omar Gonzalez to a DP contract last week, many soccer writers and fans were wondering about Donovan’s future with Los Angeles. There is a slight chance that Donovan could go to a European soccer club during the summer transfer window, but I do not see that happening.
If indeed Donovan accepts one of the “intriguing offers” he hinted at in the interview, the best chance of it happening will be after the MLS season ends. With the way the Galaxy has been playing recently, they could make a deep playoff run.
Even with Donovan receiving some “intriguing offers”, you’d be foolish to think the Galaxy will sit idle and not try to re-sign him to another contract. In addition, the Galaxy wouldn’t be the only MLS team who could use his services.
With Donovan having well-deserved interest from multiple clubs stateside and across the pond, this could end up in a serious bidding war. Some people think he deserves a Clint Dempsey DP-like contract, but I don’t see Donovan getting that kind of money. He’s a great player, but unlike Dempsey, he won’t be in his prime much longer.
Also, depending on what he does in 2014 World Cup qualifying and the rest of the Galaxy’s season, some teams could throw a big money sum on the table for Donovan. If they wait until his contract expires, he would be a free transfer and would only have to negotiate his yearly salary and contract.
For now, we play the waiting game and see where Donovan ends up at the end of the year, if not this summer. If the Galaxy don’t fork over the money Donovan wants, he might go elsewhere within MLS or travel to Europe.
Phil Naegely is a writer for www.RantSports.com. Like him on Facebook, follow on Twitter @PnaegelyRS, and on Google.
