LA Galaxy in advanced talks with Bundesliga legend - report
- The Athletic reported that the LA Galaxy are in advanced talks with Marco Reus
- LA Galaxy reportedly reached an agreement with Charlotte FC for his discovery rights
- Reus would be unable to be a designated player
By Max Mallow
Tom Bogert of The Athletic reported Sunday that Major League Soccer team LA Galaxy is in advanced talks to sign Marco Reus after acquiring his discovery rights from Charlotte FC.
Marco Reus, a Borussia Dortmund and Bundesliga legend, became a free agent after the Champions League final concluded Saturday. The attacking midfielder played his final game for his longtime club losing to Real Madrid 2-0 in the CL final.
Charlotte FC was in discussion with Reus after securing his discovery rights. Since LA Galaxy acquired those rights, they would be entitled to fees. According to Bogert, both Galaxy and Charlotte had representatives at Wembley Stadium over the weekend. St. Louis City SC also had discussions with Reus.
Reus' 12 years at Dortmund ended in heartbreak after falling to Real Madrid. A three-time Bundesliga Player of the Season, Reus won two DFB-Pokal (Germany's top cup competition) with Dortmund. Reus is a two time Footballer of the Year in Germany and was in UEFA's Team of the Year in 2013.
Galaxy currently are fourth in the Western Conference, but signing Reus comes with some salary implications. Los Angeles would be unable to make Reus a designated player, those three slots are already occupied by Riqui Puig, Gabriel Pec and Joseph Paintsil. If Reus was to sign with LA Galaxy, he would earn a maximum of $1.7 million.
Reus would also be yet another European star who joined LA Galaxy. The list of former European greats to play on the West Coast include David Beckham, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Robbie Keane and Steven Gerrard.
The German attacking midfielder would bring another element to an already exciting attacking force for the Galaxy. Los Angeles failed to make the playoffs in 2023 after a disappointing season.