MLS
LAFC transfer market update ahead of 2024 MLS season: Vela & Bouanga futures uncertain
The Los Angeles outfit have plenty of squad questions to deal with ahead of the 2024 season in MLS.
The transfer market has only just opened in Europe and the rest of the world with only seven days having passed since the window became active. However, over on the USA’s west coast, there are already several unknowns floating around Steve Cherundolo’s LAFC, with a number of players linked with moves across the Atlantic Ocean.
Carlos Vela is currently a free agent after his contract with the Los Angeles club expired at the end of the 2023 season. Although the Mexican forward has expressed his desire to remain in Los Angeles, the reality is that other options have appeared on the horizon, one of them a potential return to Real Sociedad in LaLiga.
Europe move ‘a possibility’ says Bouanga
However, he is not the only attacker who could leave the club ahead of the 2024 season. According to Tom Bogert of The Athletic, Denis Bouanga is on various shopping lists in both Saudi Arabia and France. Despite the fact that LAFC’s objective is to keep him at the club, a move to Europe in the next month is a definite possibility.
“It’s a possibility, yes,” Bouanga said after defeat in the MLS Cup final, when asked if he could return to Europe. “I leave it for others, I have a few years left on my contract here” added the striker.
Bounga deal would be ‘hugely expensive’, says LAFC president
For his part, John Thorrington, president of the Los Angeles side, acknowledged that LAFC’s plan “is to bring him back [after the post-season break]. He’s under contract for a few more years. We never know what might happen, but it will be a hugely expensive transfer if he’s not here next year.”
Spain and Saudi eye LAFC strikers
Right at the start of the year, le10sport reported that Al Hilal launched a $15 million bid for Bouanga, the golden boot winner with LAFC after scoring 38 goals in 2023.
Which players could leave LAFC?
However, that is not the end of LAFC’s potential movements in the transfer window. Various media outlets in Spain have named Spanish striker Mario González of Sporting Gijón as a possible departure, given his lack of minutes at the club.
The 27-year-old player has played 535 minutes during the year and has only scored one goal since his arrival in MLS. As such, Sporting Gijón and other clubs in Spain’s second division are all monitoring his situation.