World-class striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic has made waves at some of the world’s biggest clubs, and recently, reports suggested that the Swede could be making his way to the United States.
While a move to MLS could still be in the cards, ESPN’s Taylor Twellman reported on Sunday that the LA Galaxy would not be Ibrahimovic’s destination this summer.
The Galaxy currently have their three Designated Player spots occupied by Robbie Keane, Giovani Dos Santos and Steven Gerrard. Bruce Arena’s side would have to free up one of those positions in order to acquire Ibrahimovic.
Currently, there are eight teams around MLS that have DP slots available.
Additionally, Twellman said the Philadelphia Union would not be granted compensation for the 34-year-old attacker, after the team recently placed a Discovery claim on the player.
“[The Galaxy] have already got three Designated Players — the league will not change that rule mid-season,” Twellman said during Sunday’s Sporting Kansas City-Orlando City match. “As for ‘discovery rights,’ the mechanism to acquire and sign new players, teams can have up to seven un-signed players on their discovery list. From what I’ve gathered, you don’t discover Zlatan, [Lionel] Messi or [Cristiano] Ronaldo.
“So, Zlatan coming into the league, there’s this talk of whether or not the Philadelphia Union would get compensation — they would not. But it does beg the question: why last year Didier Drogba wasn’t on that list, and Montreal had to trade a boatload to the Chicago Fire for his rights.”
It should be noted that ESPN reported last week that one scenario could see the Galaxy sign Ibrahimovic this summer and loan him out until 2017, by which time the Galaxy could have an available DP slot for him.
While MLS remains a strong possibility for Ibrahimovic this offseason, the PSG striker is also being targeted by English Premier League side Manchester United, among other teams.
I’m sorry, but I wouldn’t consider Taylor Twellman’s spoutings during the SKC match a “report.” I watched that game, and when he said it I dismissed it outright because it was clearly just him not seeing a way for the Galaxy to free up a DP spot, which is rather ludicrous, considering the last SBI show came up with several scenarios without even trying that hard
Does anyone have a link to the list of discovery claims? I am struggling to find it anywhere.
The list is in the super-secret vault where they keep allocation money, targeted allocation money, a sample of David Beckham’s DNA.
” From what I’ve gathered, you don’t discover Zlatan, [Lionel] Messi or [Cristiano] Ronaldo.”
So a full-time soccer journalist, presumably with contacts inside MLS, isn’t quite sure how the process works? What chance do the rest of us have?
“Discovery rights” are only one (egregious) example of an embarrassingly complicated system. The whole thing invites ridicule and suspicion. The ever-present specter of favoritism and “inside deals” undermines MLS to a dangerous degree. The fact, as described by bottlcaps, that “MLS and AEG/Galaxy have a very strong relationship” should not determine whether a given player can sign.
Stupid focking DP/salary cap rules. I mean really, how stupid can a league be, if a club owner is willing to splash their own cash — with no added risk to the league — to say “no, you can’t.”
MLS rule makers…a bunch of fvcktards.
Parity. Hooray…?
Neither the Supporter’s Shield winner or either clubs in the MLS Cup Final are above 8th place in their respective conference. If their objective is to prevent “big clubs” it appears to be working, but whether or not that’s a recipe for success remains to be seen.
Your whining is wrong.
Been a very exciting season so far, will be all season, just like the previous 20….because of MLS “stupid’ rules.
Can’t wait for Sounders vs (1st place ) Rapids this weekend.
I love MLS but it does feel pretty random at times because all of the teams are so close. Parity is overrated in all sports – look at the NBA for example. Don’t you think the Warriors are causing a lot more interest in the NBA this season?
I’m not advocating a European type situation where only a couple of teams can ever win but there must be a happy medium.
It made kind of sense in the early years of MLS as did the ownership structure. However, I think the league is on firm footing now and should jettison a lot of these arcane rules. Just set a salary cap that is reasonable and let teams spend it however they want without all this DP and TAM mumbo jumbo.
In looking at Twellmans comment, it references a statement that NBCSports made. It. in turn. reference a comment that Twellman made. It is very circular and it sounds like he’s connected and has inside information, but really doesn’t. and it looks like its just an opinion.
The Galaxy are the most careful team in the MLS in its negotiations. They NEVER leak information to the media. It was only after Cole, and JVD signed actual contracts was an announcement made. The NDJ was even more confidential. Twellman reported the deal was dead more than once.
And while the case for his signing at Man U seems strong. Zlatan does not get along with Van Gall, who was his coach at Ajax. AC Milan wants him but will not make an offer without consultation with the Chinese Group who are in the process of due diligence over its purchase offer for the club. It isa fact there are few, if any, European teams who will offer him a contract longer than one year. The MLS will and so too, will Evergreen in China, but Ibra has indicated to the Euro press that China is an option but not a strong one.
This make me think there are some owners in the MLS that do not want the Galaxy to have him, even if they can’t, and are putting out strong vibes that they will not support any changes to MLS roster rules to allow it.
But its also important to know that the MLS and AEG/Galaxy have a very strong relationship and the people at AEG are very savvy and will probably send the MLS a strong message that they feel this signing is real important to the growth of the League but also the growth of ratings which will need to improve should the MLS want to see a big increase it TV rights when negotiations start in the next two years. The deal WILL happen if indeed LA is the only destination Zlatan will accept but most reports from Europe indicate that LA is the PREFERRED destination and not the only one.
While Twellman has a national audience, his comments are naturally followed closely in the media, but the beat writers from the LA area, especially Kevin Baxter of the LA times have a better relationship with the Galaxy and usually get more accurate information.when it is released.
While reading your post and idea came to me. What is to stop the Galaxy from selling one of their DP’s who will be out of contract at the end of the season? For example, they could reach an agreement with Ibra, not to go into effect until the end of August and then, in the meantime, arrange to offload either Gerrard or Keane. Gerrard has made it clear he want to go back to Liverpool to work with the coaching staff or management and Keane seems to want to retire in Ireland. So, if one leaves in August, and they got Ibra in return, it wouldn’t be a real loss for the Galaxy as they would lose services of Keane or Gerrard only for a couple of months and gain Ibra for 2 or 3 years. If I had to guess, I would say Keane goes early and Ibra would be a more than adequate replacement.
The problem is: Liverpool does not really want Gerrard back as a player, maybe a coach when he lines up his certificates, but I think they made it clear this winter when he trained with them that his days as a player, at least for Liverpool’s first team are over. It was clear when they offered him a contract of less than half of his current one, but for one year and absolutely no guarantees he would be fist team. Loyalty aside, it’s a business and players over 30 have way less value than those younger, and even if you have a great year are producing like crazy, you will not get a contract on any major team for more than one year. Man U is purportedly willing to table an offer for ONE year for Zlatan, with maybe an option year. He will only get a multiyear deal from the MLS or a small league in Europe or he will have to go to the mid-east or China. Many Euro players, who are still playing top level football are pting for the MLS rather than a small League, the Mid-East or China.
The problem is that, if the player is a dog, or dos not play well, or, more common; gets hurt a lot in a very physical League. You are stuck with him.
Additionally, Twellman said the Philadelphia Union would not be granted compensation for the 34-year-old attacker, after the team recently placed a Discovery claim on the player.
Praise baby Jesus. Not that I fault the Philadelphia staff or front office, but this “mechanism” is a black-eye on an otherwise fruitful pursuit of such a big name (even if he is 34). I threw up in my mouth a little bit reading this yesterday:
“You look at different things and different mechanisms that the league has, different unique ways of players coming into the league and ways you can be rewarded if you’re a little bit hot in front of things,” -Jim Curtin
Perception does matter for building up the MLS fan base and, among the long list of ridiculously un-fan-friendly and convoluted rules and designs, this specific mechanic only brings ridicule and belittlement to a product you want people to take serious and be passionate about.
I grasp the spirit of this rule when it was introduced and the tireless pursuit of parity, but MLS must apply the same flexibility it often shows when creating these rules (often in favor of the Galaxy) and nix this Mickey Mouse mechanism.
Twellman also raises a good question about why Chicago received compensation, but Philadelphia wouldn’t. Perhaps there’s hope and someone at MLS headquarters finally saw the light. As they should…it’s embarrassing.
If they are aquiring him until 2016 as the title of this article suggest, then it is a good thing; however, if it is not until 2017 as it is written in the body of this article, then it is a ridiculous time to wait. Still would be worth it for a player of his caliber but they should rewrite the rules as they always have, in order to get Zlatan.
They must have fixed it title says “won’t acquire in 2016”
Does LA really need more fire power in 2016? If he’s down with it why not wait until next March. It wouldn’t surprise me if Zlatan wouldn’t be happy chilling on the beach until then.