The Los Angeles Galaxy issued a statement on Thursday afternoon regarding the Landon Donovan loan move to Everton that we reported earlier today as being a done deal. The Galaxy has denied that a deal has been reached.
Here is the team's statement:
“We are aware of Everton’s interest in Landon Donovan, as they are one of a number of clubs who have contacted the Galaxy about the possibility of a short term loan agreement for Landon. The Galaxy, MLS and Landon’s representative will work together to determine if and whether an arrangement with Everton or any other club would be beneficial to all parties.”
I will stand by my earlier report that that the sides have reached an agreement on a deal.
typical statement by a non-lawyer.
Team PR machines like to believe that they control the flow of news about their players.
These days, cred comes from getting the story out first so everyone else is citing you. And that cred comes (subconsciously or consciously) from readers like us. I’m impressed by how Ives gets the story out so fast and gets it right.
Any news on Holden and Clark?
I remember a Livorno Clark deal, but Livorno has had some management changes IIRC, is that deal still in place?
Is Holden going to SPL or another league, I wouldn’t really like to see him in SPL, unless he’s getting great training at Celtic/Rangers.
What it really means is that L.A. is probably still trying to find a way to explain to it’s fans that their top 2 players are going out on loan (again) and will DEFINITELY come back, and possibly won’t. I’m sure that they’re worried Donovan could actually make an impression and be gone post-WC.
I don’t doubt it’s a done deal, maybe they’re still hammering out the last details… hopefully regarding the possibility of LanDo staying until the end of the EPL season.
“We are aware of Everton’s interest in Landon Donovan, as they are one of a number of clubs who have contacted the Galaxy about the possibility of a short term loan agreement for Landon.”
Damn you LA. When I called and asked if Landon could play on my team at the Y for a month you told me if I ordered 50 of the old Clint Mathis jerseys you still had sitting around he could join us. Now you are all like “everyone wants him”. Rats, fooled again. Why do I fall for your tricks every MLS off season.
Hey, if he can still wear tight uniforms, he is fit… 🙂
no reason to sign Jose. He hasn’t looked like a goal threat.
He’s been kind of perma-hurt with concussion and neck symptoms the whole year (plus some other injuries the year before). Last I heard, he still planned to return next season. I’ll believe it when I see it plus you have to question what his fitness and form will look like after all this time.
It just means the papers haven’t been officially/legally signed just yet. But from a wealth of reports, the negotiations are at such an advanced stage, get over yourselves LA Galaxy & MLS!
SBI comes first then if I have time ESPN or YA. Love SBI
It is and it does (foreign talent mostly). I think things will change with it, but only when there is a greater demand for domestic talent internationally at a younger age. MLS isn’t going to change its business model until competition forces it to.
Speaking of Twellman, is he still around?
“(neatly)” – hilarious
I bet his sources are The Special One and Wayne Rooney. Who could refute those guys?
Thanks. I’m pretty ignorant when it comes to such things. 2+2 is quite a commitment. Seems like it might discourage a lot of potential signees.
Bossy little thing aren’t you, Clint? If we were a legit mafia you might have the kneecaps busted.
Maybe it’s Shawn Francis? I mean he is the MLS INSIDER! HAHA
I get my footie info from Ives because SBI is comprehensive and (usually) accurate. IMO, journalists should sacrifice speed for more accuracy, but I suppose if you feel you’ve got the story…
(SBI-I hear you on that A.S., but as you know, the business is a far different animal than it was ten years ago. I won’t lie. I miss the days when you could have a scoop and sit on it and know it was going to run the next day. Now you chase and sometimes scoops fall in your lap, but either way, when you have it and confirm it you run it. No waiting.)
All standard MLS contracts are 2 year + 2 option. They are very much against any changes to those terms. This has been an even bigger problem for many players in the past because MLS is very apt to not allow transfers/trades (Joseph and Twellman for NE come to mind offhand as well as Cooper).
I believe this is also the sticking point in the current talks with Stuart Holden who is out of contract come Jan. More than just money, I think players like that are looking for some extra out-clause control so things like this aren’t a problem going forward.
Fulham has a better chance of signing Altidore in January than Beasley.
They’re at least in the market for a Forward and Hull has money issues. (and yes, he’s still officially a Villarreal player)
Of course, the odds of Fulham signing Jozy are slim to none, so that puts Bease in perspective 🙂
What on earth compelled him to sign such a contract with the Galaxy to begin with? To be so locked in when he’s in the prime of his career is a shame. Anyone know the specs on his current contract, or even better, what it would take to get out of it?
Couldn’t have said it better myself.
Yeah, but all of the comments on it ripped him a new one…even a person from England.
yeah man..i read that this AM too. CNN Soccer reporting can get kind of tabloidy…I lump Fan House into CNN Soccer…weak
Hasn’t Jozy learned his lesson?
For the record, Ives, I’d say you’re doing a good job if that’s what drives you.
the problem with this deal that doesn’t make sense is that the “upside” sucks for one or both of the teams. if landycakes ends up sucking, no problem … everton dump him back to the rec league of MLS and LA gets its star back a bit tarnished but he is still better than any two chumps on their roster combined.
BUT. If Mandon plays good/great then either A. Everton will have to send him back to LA right when they are going to need him the most or B. LA lets him stay (hahahahaha yeah right) and is without the only truly quality player they have (that isn’t 109 years old with the haircut of an 14 year old nonce).
Landon needs to man up and demand the MLS let him go permanently play in a real league or admit he is comfortable being the ‘big fish’ in the ‘small pond’ so we can write him off as a footballing great.
The only scenerio i can see panning out on this is that Paul Konchesky leaves Fulham (current starting left back) and Roy decides to take Beasley on as a project and convert him to a left back for real. Hodgson’s fullbacks overlap and get forward quite a bit, especially on the left since Dempsey pinches inside towards the box all the time so I could see Roy picking up a true winger like Beasley to convert but there is no way he is getting him to actually play on the wing.
I read that too. Honestly I don’t see it. Seems someone said to themselve, “Hey Fulham have signed a lot of Americans maybe Beasley is going there.” because of all the position on the pitch Fulham has the most cover at the wings. Dempsey, Duff, Davies, Gera, and Riise have all logged minutes on the wings for the first team. Dempsey and Duff are probably their most potent attackers this year and both start at that position regularily. Maybe the Beasley of 3 years ago, but I can’t imagine Hodgson spending money on a player who has been injured and sat for 2 years in the position he has the most players in already.
Speaking of American abroad, there are also reports that Roy Hodgson is interested in DaMarcus Beasley.
Anyone buying that statement isn’t too bright. Either that or you have short memories and don’t remember the Galaxy’s statement about the reported Beckham/Milan loan deal. Before that deal was announced we were treated to a “There’s no deal happening” statement from LA.
Also, get them to put their housekey on a little sheet of paper and trace around it (neatly) with a pen for me along with a list of times they will not be home.
Thanks!
But why would LA deny that the deal was complete if it was in fact complete. Just don’t see what their motive would be there.
great that you stood by your statement. Still can’t prove there’s a deal done right now.
Where do you look or your footie info SBI or ESPN? exactly
“ready to be adequately compensated,” Time for the 2nd DP slot to go in effect. it’s the only way LA can keep him.
MLS is so petty. I am sure this probably is a done deal but they have such a Napolean complex that they have to first deny it is done and then announce it themselves. Same as with Beckham. Done deal forever but has to be announced on their terms.
Yup…just like when Bruce Arena said Beckham would be back at the start of the MLS season.
I find journalists’ obsession with getting a story first to be kind of annoying. Nothing against Ives personally – it affects the entire profession.
(SBI-Journalists want to report the news. That’s not exactly a new development. I don’t have an obsession with getting a story first. My goal is deliver news to my readers in a timely manner, so when there’s something to report, I will report it. If I happen to be the first to do so, then that’s a bonus, but not what drives me. Providing my readers with a place where they know they’ll get the news they want is what drives me.)
odd that this can’t get reported consistently.
Yes, Ives. Cite your source. Please publish the name, address, home phone number and photo of your source ASAP. I want to contact your source and verify this report for myself.
The Galaxy can continue to exercise an option on Landon for 2 more years. So while his contract was “expired” all the Galaxy have to do is say that they want to extend it for another year, and then do the same the next year after that.
The reason Landon has some leverage is that he is easily the most important American player in the league, and is probably the 2nd or 3rd most known name after Beckham and Blanco. The last thing MLS wants is an unhappy megastar. Donovan has said he is “ready to be adequately compensated,” so he will ask for more money, even though MLS doesn’t HAVE to give it to him. He’s already a DP, so it doesn’t affect the cap, it’s just AEG on the line for any additional cash.
I think he has 1 more year on his contract.
Be careful for what we wish for!
Jozy has offered his congrats to Landon on his twitter. So, either it’s a done deal or Jozy is a frequent visitor of SBI.
(SBI-Or both.)
Ives,
Why is this an issue if I read somewhere that Landon Donovan is a free agent, or his contract with the Galazy was finished, why do they get to be involved or have a say, is it different in Soccer than other US Sports (when it pertains to free agency) ?
I wish they would just get this over with and give him to Everton…I have a feeling they might blow the deal.
Cite your source Ives!
(SBI-Sources are anonymous and will remain so.)
Ugh. Written by a bunch of annoying lawyers. Let’s hope they don’t manage to blow this by trying to hold out for top dollar.