Chicharito to LAFC rumors percolate once again

If we’ve heard it once, we’ve heard it a million times: Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez is wanted by Los Angeles Football Club.

The latest fanning of the LAFC-Chicharito flame comes from Nacion ESPN, who interviewed LAFC head coach Bob Bradley last week and discussed the possibility of the Mexican international coming to Los Angeles.

The move, if it were to ever happen, would unite Hernandez with Carlos Vela – LAFC’s only current designated player. In fact, in the summer of 2017, it was Hernandez who defended Vela’s signing with LAFC from La Liga side Real Sociedad.

In his interview with Nacion ESPN, Bradley never committed a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ to the possibility of signing Hernandez from Premier League side West Ham, only to suggest Chicharito would be an asset.

“That one is left with the ownership,” Bradley said. “From the standpoint of the manager, Chicharito is a big player, big personality, great goal scorer. So, if Will Ferrell, the rest of the ownership can bring that commitment, I can figure out a way to get him on the field and help him score goals.”

Bradley referred to Ferrell’s plea to Chicharito back in June to come to LAFC.

But, it would take more than just a comedic plea from a co-owner and coy remarks from the head coach to make it happen.

First, Chicharito just signed on with West Ham United – who are currently 15^th in the Premier League, two points from the relegation zone – for €17.8 million (about $21 million) from Bayer Leverkusen and his contract is not set to expire until 2020. It would mean a potential transfer fee upwards of well over $10 million.

And, remember the last time salary and Chicharito were discussed? If not, here is a refresher: It was believed Hernandez was looking for over $10 million a year at LAFC, which would have made him by far the highest-paid player in league history. While his actual salary with the Hammers cannot be located, it was initially reported he was asking for nearly $190,000 a week from West Ham.

I don’t care who owns the team, that is a pretty steep price to pay.

The lone bright spot for those looking for a Chicharito sighting in LA is that he has run afoul of new West Ham manager David Moyes and Hammer fans have chastised Hernandez for his play of late – especially failing to score in the Hammers’ 1-1 draw to League One side Shrewsbury in the FA Cup.

In fact, Chicharito has scored just four goals in 21 games as the Hammers edge closer to the relegation zone.

But, does that make him coming to LAFC a certainty? Nope.

Despite his poor form and being on the outs with his manager, Chicharito is still valued at nearly €18 million, which would put him far out of reach, even for the deep pockets of LAFC’s ownership.

Plus, it is more likely that Chicharito wants to flourish on the international stage and that he could better do that playing football in Europe.

However, LAFC do still have a designated player spot open, meaning the league could absorb the maximum of $480,625 of his salary (or $240,312 if signed during the secondary/late summer transfer window), leaving ownership to bear the rest.

So, you’re sayin’ there’s a chance?

What do you think? Leave a comment below!