ESPN on Tuesday reported that the LA Galaxy is looking to replace the Designated Player slot that will be vacated next year by retiring star Landon Donovan with veteran Italian playmakerAndrea Pirlo. However, sources claim a prospective deal is stalling because the Galaxy wants the 35-year-old to join at the beginning of the MLS preseason in January.
Earlier this year,Pirlo, who is under contract with Juventus through 2016, balked at a potential move to MLS. “Why should I move?” the 2006 World Cup winner with Italy said in August. “Serie A is atop-level league and life in Italy is comfortable. Two more years with Juventus, then maybe I will move to the MLS in the United States.”
However, those comments came before former Juve coachAntonio Conte was replaced by Massimiliano Allegri, who coached Pirlo at AC Milan in during 2010/11 season. The two did not always see eye-to-eye, and Allegri used Pirlo sparingly,prompting his eventual move to the Bianconeri. It remains to be seen how much Allegri will use Pirlo this second time around, as the midfielder is currently recovering from a thigh injury and has yetto play this season.