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LAFC’s summer transfer moves won’t be as splashy as 2022, but club remains flexible

July 4, 2023

Unlike last season’s blockbuster summer transfer window, there’s little reason to anticipate significant changes to the Los Angeles Football Club roster over the next month.

But if an opportunity to add big-name players presents itself, LAFC is ready to jump at the chance.

“What I would say to supporters is it’s not as though we’re not in conversations like that,” LAFC co-president and general manager John Thorrington said.

One year after acquiring Giorgio Chiellini, Gareth Bale, Denis Bouanga, Cristian Tello and Seba Mendez en route to winning the MLS Cup, Thorrington predicted comparatively minor moves from Wednesday through Aug. 2.

“We’re not going to have five new players, but we do feel like there are areas we’re always looking to improve,” Thorrington said. “The way our league works in order to have the flexibility to do that sometimes you have to make some tough decisions, as we had to do last offseason and in the past in order to create space to bring in players we think will help.

“I think it’ll largely be like-for-like, with maybe another player in the margins.”

The strain of 29 games across all competitions by July 1 – four more than the previous MLS club record set by Seattle last year – has been evident as fatigue and injuries are omnipresent for LAFC (9-5-5, 32 points) in 2023.

Weighing near-term needs against a long-term vision and potential consequences in the financially constrained MLS is the calculus by which the LAFC front office will approach the critical transfer period.

The club’s defensive unit was already bolstered by center back Mamadou Fall, who returned following a year away on loan with Spain’s Villareal.

Fall is practicing and can play when the window opens following LAFC’s sold-out clash against the Galaxy (3-9-7, 16 points) on Tuesday night at the Rose Bowl.

What next?

“Extra ammunition” for the attack and replacements for outbound transfers are LAFC priorities, Thorrington said.

“When I look at our group right now I think that is where additional resources would be most valuable,” he added.

The long-rumored departure of Ecuadorian midfielder Jose Cifuentes is likely the first domino to fall.

A chilling of the transfer market during the COVID-19 pandemic delayed Cifuentes’ departure to Europe.

One of three LAFC players signed under the U22 initiative, Cifuentes has been heavily linked to Rangers Football Club of the Scottish Premiership.

If Cifuentes is not transferred or re-signed, he would be free to leave at the end of the season.

The indications are that he wants out sooner than later.

Should a move occur with Cifuentes – it is dependent on the offers LAFC receives – the defending MLS champions intend to bring in another attack-minded midfielder.

Regardless of the decision on Cifuentes, LAFC can also sign a designated player who is 23 years of age or younger.

“We would like to inject some fresh blood and improve, but we have a very good team already,” LAFC head coach Steve Cherundolo said. “I don’t think there needs to be a lot of improvement. It’ll be very specific to a need that we have to finish the season out in a similar fashion to last season.

“Whether you win or not, we do not know, but I think if we remain healthy and make a change or two we’ll be very competitive to see ourselves play a very important role in the playoff picture.”

LAFC AT GALAXY

When: Tuesday, 7:30 p.m.

Where: Rose Bowl, Pasadena

TV/Radio: Apple TV+ – Free, 710 AM, 980 AM

Orange County Register

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LAFC’s summer transfer moves won’t be as splashy as 2022, but club remains flexible

LAFC AT GALAXY

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