:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/63123078/usa_today_11545041.0.jpg)
The Saga of the Four DPs has taken another unexpected turn.
Monday night the The Athletic’s Kristian Dyer revealed through a source the LA Galaxy could be looking to move Ola Kamara to stay compliant with roster regulations. Allegedly the 29-year old striker has interest in MLS from an Eastern Conference team and overseas with a Chinese club.
Hearing, per source, that #LAGalaxy forward Ola Kamara could be on the move. One possible landing spot is a transfer to China. Had also heard an Eastern Conference team had interest via a trade.
— Kristian Dyer (@KristianRDyer) February 26, 2019
The Norwegian international bagged 14 goals and 3 assists last season despite not playing in his ideal center forward role.
Does the rumor carry any weight? It must be said that the trade doesn’t appear to add up. LA’s pressing issue is the lack of a Designated Player spot as opposed to a lack of salary cap space. Since the club cannot buy down Romain Alessandrini nor Jonathan dos Santos with Target Allocation Money, there is little incentive for the club to rock the boat with such a major move days before the season opener.
Update: Kevin Baxter has shed some light on the situation: Ola Kamara is looking for a pay raise, and as a result the club are allowing him to speak with a Chinese club. It also appears NYCFC is the Eastern Conference team inquiring about his services.
For those following along at home, the Ola Kamara transfer, if it happens, has nothing to do with Gio dos Santos' status with the @LAGalaxy. Moving Kamara is an answer to his request for more $ and does not change the math needed to resolve the 4 DP issue, which is Gio's issue
— Kevin Baxter (@kbaxter11) February 26, 2019
This would explain the strange timing of the move, but it would still harm LA to begin the season short of a proven goalscorer. The possibility of Kamara departing the club is very real however: Sebastian Lletget has replaced Kamara for tomorrow’s player appearance at Niky’s Sports.
We’ll see what happens.
Update No. 2: NYCFC have pulled out of negotiations but the club are “close” to selling Ola Kamara to China per Sam Stejskal’s reporting.
Adding to what's already out there. A source tells me that LA are "close" to selling Ola Kamara to China. A move would create "a couple million" in space in salary + transfer fee, but it wouldn't solve the Galaxy's DP conundrum.
— Sam Stejskal (@samstejskal) February 26, 2019
Details: https://t.co/pxYy7U00OH
Update No. 3: It’s going to happen.
#LAGalaxy GM Dennis te Kloese's statement on the potential Ola Kamara transfer to China. https://t.co/tw2GZDLb5G pic.twitter.com/6DIZpMQJfJ
— Adam Serrano (@AdamSerrano) February 26, 2019