• ‘I would love to go back to Everton,’ says USA midfielder
• MLS worried about tug-of-war involving ‘Captain America’
Landon Donovan has held preliminary talks over a permanent transfer to the Premier League and revealed he would love the opportunity to return to Everton.
The USA captain enjoyed a successful two-month loan spell at Goodison Park last season and has been linked with a move to Manchester City, and a reunion with David Moyes’s side. The City manager, Roberto Mancini, claimed to be interested in the 28-year-old during his club’s pre-season tour of the United States, although club officials distanced themselves from the possibility of adding the midfielder to their expanding ranks.
Everton are also interested in a player who contributed to their impressive upturn in form last season but may struggle to meet the asking price of approximately £10m for the LA Galaxy captain without selling players first. Donovan, speaking after the MLS All-Stars’ loss to Manchester United on Wednesday, said: “We hear little bits and pieces here and there. There have certainly been clubs that are interested but right now it’s only preliminary. I think there’s still a lot of time in the transfer window so we’ll see what moves are made and, if it’s serious, then we’ll treat it seriously.”
Previous indications were that Donovan would be available for another loan move only during the break in the MLS season, given that his profile, which rose further at the World Cup, is so important to the promotion of the game in the United States. “Anything is possible,” he said, when asked if he would consider a permanent transfer.
“I would love to go back to Everton. I love the people there and I love the fans there. That said, I love being in America too, so we are going to take everything into account and see where it ends up. This is what I do [raise the profile of the MLS], this is my job and I understand all the parts of it, on and off the field. I’m going to make the decision that’s best for me.”
Donovan was only a substitute in the All-Stars’ 5-2 defeat by United having played a Concacaf Champions League game for LA Galaxy against Puerto Rico Islanders the night before. The MLS Commissioner, Don Garber, believes the league would resist Donovan making a permanent exit even if a substantial offer arrives before the close of this transfer window.
“If Landon was to leave, his profile would be raised higher in the country he was playing in and it would certainly be raised among the core fans in the United States,” said Garber. “But we need to deepen the connection between the American fan as an MLS fan first, and a Premier League fan second. In order to do that, we need our best American players here.
“We need somebody like Landon, who has grown up in southern California, who is bilingual, almost like Captain America for our national team, somebody who is really inspiring a nation of soccer fans. We want to have him play next Saturday in front of people who want to see an LA Galaxy game, as opposed to having them wait to experience him on the Fox Soccer Channel or ESPN because they are watching a game being played in Europe.
“I’m the commissioner of MLS and for my goal, raising the profile of our league, we need our best players here and I will always fight hard to keep them here. We support the interest of players wanting to play in Europe if it makes sense for them and the team they play for. It is the first time we have had a player like Landon.”
EvertonTransfer windowLA GalaxyManchester CityMajor League SoccerAndy Hunterguardian.co.uk
