Report: LAFC eyeing Rooney, Chicharito, Fabregas, Modric as potential signings
LAFC doesn't begin play in MLS until 2018, but the club is putting together a star-studded shopping list ahead of its grand unveiling with an eye on players "of global stature."
According to ESPNFC, LAFC has its sights set on Wayne Rooney, Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez, Cesc Fabregas and Luka Modric as potential big-name signings. With Rooney's situation at Manchester United, where he is under contract until June 2019, anything but settled, he could be a prime target for the MLS expansion club. Rooney will be 32 by the time LAFC starts play in the spring of 2018.
"Wayne Rooney is an example of the caliber of player we are looking to bring to LAFC," club president and owner Tom Penn said. "He is one of 10 names we are looking at, but we are a long way from signing anybody up right now."
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Penn added that the club could start signing players next summer, then loan them out or back to their clubs in biding time for the inaugural LAFC season to begin. He also warned against signing players looking for a pay day and little more.
"For a player of stature, a European star let's say, we would want them to view this as the first day of the rest of their life, not as just the end of their playing career," Penn said.
LAFC will be the 23rd team in MLS, following the arrivals of Minnesota United and Atlanta United FC next season.
Minnesota and Atlanta will conduct their expansion draft on Dec. 13 as they continue to build their rosters.
