CARSON, Calif. – The LA Galaxy locked down their third Designated Player on Thursday with the signing of Omar Gonzalez, but they’ll likely have to lock down one of their three DP’s later this year when Landon Donovan’s contract expires.
The Galaxy forward has stated that he is hoping to remain happy wherever he is next year, and both LA head coach and general manager Bruce Arena as well as President Chris Klein have stated that talks have gone on between both parties.
“Landon is the Galaxy. We want to keep him here, we’ve made no secret about that,” said Klein. “Everyone knows that his contract is up at the end of the year and we hope his recent form continues.”
With Seattle Sounders FC’s splashing the cash to sign Donovan’s national team teammate Clint Dempsey, much of the talk on the Galaxy’s bid to keep the U.S. international has centered on matching or surpassing that offer.
“We’ll see. I would say that Landon is one of the most important players in league history,” Klein said when asked if LA would need to match or exceed Dempsey's deal. “Definitely the best American player ever to play and we want him to stay with the Galaxy.”
At 31-years-old, Donovan has already accomplished plenty in MLS as he has won five titles and is currently closing in on the league’s all-time goal scoring and assist records. Regardless of his sterling resume, Klein believes that he has plenty left to accomplish with the Galaxy.
“Landon has always bucked conventional wisdom. We want to keep him here and we think that he has a lot to do in an LA Galaxy uniform,” said Klein. “Not to say that he hasn’t accomplished an incredible amount, but knowing him like I do, I think that he’s driven for more. Where he personally is, I don’t know, but we’d certainly like to have him here.”
