Philippe Coutinho to LA Galaxy: The real price for the Brazilian free agent

Philippe Coutinho has terminated his contract with Vasco da Gama after returning to his hometown in 2024, citing dissatisfaction following criticism from fans. The 33-year-old midfielder reached an agreement with the Brazilian club and is now a free agent, sparking interest from several teams, including Major League Soccer’s Los Angeles Galaxy.

A new challenge on the horizon

The former Liverpool and Barcelona star scored 17 goals in 80 appearances for Vasco da Gama and, according to reports, is looking for a fresh challenge in his career. AS USA Latino and GalaxyRunsLA have confirmed that LA Galaxy has not yet submitted a formal offer, but sources say the club is interested and a move could be discussed soon.

Early-stage talks with LA Galaxy

Negotiations between Coutinho and the MLS side are still in the early stages. For the Galaxy to sign him, the team would need to free up or acquire an additional international roster slot, which could cost between $400,000 and $500,000.

When does the MLS transfer window close?

Currently, João Klauss, Gabriel Pec, and Joseph Paintsil occupy the Galaxy’s Designated Player slots for the 2026 season. Riqui Puig, recovering from a second ACL surgery suffered in November 2024, was left off the club’s Designated Player list this year.

Coutinho’s profile is appealing to the Galaxy because he offers similar skills to Puig, a creative spark the team sorely missed during what became the worst season in the club’s history. LA Galaxy, the most decorated club in MLS history, has until March 26 to finalize a deal with the Brazilian midfielder, the closing date of the league’s first transfer window.

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