LAFC is among the most constant and competent franchises in MLS. It made all of it the best way to the MLS Cup Last in 2022 and 2023, taking residence the trophy on its first try and simply lacking out to the Columbus Crew on its second.
Powering LAFC’s rise to the highest of American soccer is striker Denis Bouanga. He was the highest scorer within the league final season with 20 objectives.
To place that into perspective, Bouanga scored extra objectives final season than Liverpool’s Mo Salah did. The person is clearly a sport changer for LAFC.
However all will not be nicely in Los Angeles. In an interview with French newspaper Le Maine Libre, Bouanga admitted that his time at LAFC could also be coming to a detailed.
“My goal is obvious and said: I want to come again and play in France or in a European membership,” Bouanga said.
Bouanga’s present LAFC contract reportedly runs by means of 2025, which means an early exit could be costly for potential suitors. Bouanga was initially signed for $5M; LAFC would doubtless have to obtain considerably greater than that to make up for his damaged contract.
“He is underneath contract,” said LAFC GM John Thorrington. “He is the highest objective scorer within the league, an enormous a part of how we play. So our plan is totally that he is underneath contract for an additional few years and that he’ll be again. We by no means know what might occur, however it is going to be a massively, massively costly switch price if he is not right here subsequent yr.”
The difficulty for Bouanga is his age. He is 29 — not outdated, however nicely previous the purpose of being a ‘futures’ participant — and lots of European golf equipment shall be unwilling to spend the cash LAFC requires on a striker previous his prime.
However there may be one different choice for Bouanga: Saudi Arabia. The rising Saudi league has expressed interest in Bouanga and has the assets out there to pay for him.
However is the thought of a Saudi switch sufficient to pry him away from Los Angeles?
“I’m actually pleased to have performed for a yr and a half right here, to get to know MLS, to get to know CONCACAF,” Bouanga said. “Los Angeles actually is aware of who they carry in and what gamers they get. They actually know what they’re doing.”
