It is less than a month since the Los Angeles Galaxy retained their Major League Soccer title with a 2-1 overtime win against the New England Revolution. It was the fifth time that the Galaxy have lifted the MLS Cup – and their third title from the last four seasons, for America’s most decorated soccer franchise.
While the MLS soccer scene is on a downtime period from now until the 2015 season begins in March, some top talents will perhaps look for loan moves across the Atlantic to maintain fitness levels, and the opportunity to showcase their talents in the world renowned English Premier League.
Here are five players who could take a short term trip away from Northern America in the January transfer window.
Experienced goal machine
LA Galaxy’s Robbie Keane scored the decisive goal against the New England Revolution in the MLS Cup final, and the striker would surely welcome another chance to return to England in the Premier League. Keane top scored for the Galaxy last season with 21 goals in 34 appearances, and several English clubs after a short-term goal machine should look no further than the experienced Irishman. At 34, Keane is in the twilight of his career, but a handful of goals at such a key part of the season could be the difference for one lucky team.
Redknapp recruit
Keane’s former Tottenham Hotspur team-mate Jermain Defoe could be another striker set to return to the EPL after a relatively successful debut season for the Toronto FC. The 32-year old former England striker notched 11 goals in 19 matches for his Canadian owners, and the naturally talented goal scorer will be on many radars across the pond when the New Year festivities have ceased.
Harry Redknapp is well known to be a fond admirer of Defoe, after managing him on several occasions throughout the strikers’ career, and it wouldn’t be the biggest surprise to see the forward line-up for Queens Park Rangers at Loftus Road in the not too distant future.
From coast to coast
Lee Nguyen is reportedly attracting interest from the likes of Southampton, and the New England Revolution midfield schemer could potentially swap the east coast of America for the south coast of England after the upcoming window. Nguyen scored 20 goals in Revolution colours this past season, but the lure of the Premier League could well be too tempting for the 28-year old.
Revolution fans will be hoping that their prized asset will stay, and adhere to his recently attained new contract in New England though. Watch this space on this story.
Another return
Galaxy’s Landon Donovan is no stranger to the English Premier League with two previous stints at Goodison Park for Everton, and the 32-year old may make another move across to England in January. Donovan had another fine season in a Galaxy jersey, and the American international striker would have no issues of settling into the fast-paced Premier League for more game time. The player is another on the wrong side of 30, but his experience could be invaluable to a struggling Premier League team in search of goals.
Sounding out a move
The Seattle Sounders are likely to be fielding offers on their former Premier League star Clint Dempsey, as the striker could be tempted to seek a short-term return to England in early 2015. The experienced international was one of the USA’s finest exports to the Premier League throughout his time with Fulham and Tottenham Hotspur – and scored 57 goals during that period.
Dempsey has maintained an excellent scoring return in Seattle this past season, with 16 goals, and a temporary move across the Atlantic might be on the cards for the forward.
