TRANSFER TRACKER:Report
LA Galaxy head coach Guillermo Barros Schelotto already has one of Major League Soccer's highest-profile strikers in Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez, but his connections could help bring another world-famous attacker to Dignity Health Sports Park.
Speaking to TuttoSport, Schelotto said he has a strong relationship with current Juventus striker Gonzalo Higuain's whole family, including his older brother and current D.C. United player-assistant coach Federico Higuain. One day, Schelotto hopes the Argentina national team star, 32, could join LA.
“I saw an interview with Gonzalo where he said he wanted to stay at Juventus and in Europe. Maybe it’s too early for Higuain, but never say never in football," Schelotto told TuttoSport, in quotes translated to English by The Sporting News. “I personally know the whole family, his father Jorge and brother Federico. We have already brought in [Zlatan Ibrahimovic's] replacement in Chicharito Hernandez and we are happy with him.
“In Higuain’s case, it would be a separate matter. It’s a dream for the future, but it won’t be easy.”
Schelotto also said that he could see the Galaxy pursuing other Juventus stars in the summer transfer market, such as French midfielder Blaise Matuidi and German midfielder Sami Khedira. They both recently turned 33, and the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic is important to consider.
“Top players like Khedira and Matuidi could be interesting for us, even if it’s impossible to make predictions," Schelotto said. “Given the health emergency we are experiencing, we can’t know what will happen in the summer and what kind of transfer market it will be.”
Before coming to MLS, Schelotto managed Argentine powerhouse club Boca Juniors and earned 10 caps with La Albiceleste during his playing career. As for Gonzalo Higuain, his career started at rival club River Plate and he's made 75 appearances for Argentina.
