Rumor: Chicharito to be offered $15 million per year to play at LAFC

Speculation surrounding Mexican striker Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez and a possible future at MLS expansion team Los Angeles Football Club took a new turn on Saturday, as ESPN Deportes show Jorge Ramos y Su Banda tweeted an eye-popping salary for the player.

The tweet said “MLS would offer Javier Hernandez $15 million a year to play for LAFC.” They also provided a photoshop image that has been circulating to help build the mood.

This specific dollar amount for Chicharito’s services at LAFC appears to originate with the radio show. While FourFourTwo USA’s Paul Tenorio recently estimated a total contract worth about $50 million for a four-year deal for Chicharito, the $15 million annual number would exceed that if he were to come and were to play for four years.

Of course, this is very much a rumor. No subsequent explanation on social media and no sourcing of this figure means it’s tough to really conclude if there is smoke here or if the show is pulling a figure out of thin air.

If we suppose it to be true, then Chicharito’s salary would far exceed any other player in MLS history. $15 million would encompass the salary cap for almost three full MLS teams (Designated Players above a given threshold do not count against that cap number) in a season, and it would demonstrate LAFC’s sincere desire to see the star play in black-and-gold.

But again, until we see more to back this up, this is very much a rumor. It fits with the recent speculation linking Chicharito and LAFC, but at the moment it is hard to tell if this is a solid report or idle musing to get people talking.

What do you think? Leave a comment below!