The Los Angeles Galaxy's Landon Donovan could be heading on loan to Everton Football Club of the English Premier League as early as next month, according to various reports Thursday.
Everton chief executive Robert Elstone said the popular Galaxy forward, coming off an MLS season in which he was named the league's most valuable player, could join the Toffees, currently tied for 15th in the Premiership table, on Jan. 2 should discussions reach a successful conclusion. Everton was the opponent for the MLS All-Stars in last summer's MLS All-Star Game.
"Landon is a player (manager) David Moyes has identified as someone he would like to bring to the club," Elstone told the club's official website.
The 27-year-old Donovan, who topped the Galaxy with 12 goals in 25 games and helped them reach the MLS Cup Final, where they lost to Real Salt Lake, previously spent time in Germany's Bundesliga at Bayer Leverkusen and Bayern Munich. He also is coming off a summer in which he led the U.S. national team into next year's World Cup in South Africa and into the final of the FIFA Confederations Cup, where the USA lost to Brazil.
Donovan is not the only Galaxy player about to go on loan overseas. David Beckham will rejoin AC Milan -- he spent seven months with the Serie A powerhouse last year before rejoining the Galaxy in July -- next month and will stay in Europe in hopes of playing for England in the World Cup.
Galaxy officials say they are open to the idea of Donovan going out on loan, but they also are taking a cautious approach after last year's drama involving Beckham. The English standout returned to the Galaxy only after contentious negotiations in which he finally was allowed to complete the Serie A season before heading back to Los Angeles.
"We are aware of Everton's interest in Landon Donovan, as they are one of a number of clubs who have contacted the Galaxy about the possibility of a short-term loan agreement for Landon," the club said in a statement Thursday. "The Galaxy, MLS and Landon's representative will work together to determine if and whether an arrangement with Everton or any other club would be beneficial to all parties."
Larry Morgan is a contributor to MLSnet.com.
