LA Galaxy: Top 5 Zlatan Ibrahimovic replacements

Edinson Cavani

Another well-known name to soccer fans around the world, Edinson Cavani has been rumored to be looking to the City of Angels for his next move as well. The long-time Uruguayan international has appeared to have fallen out of favor at his current club, Paris Saint-Germain, due to the recent form of a much younger Mauro Icardi. But even at the age of 32, Cavani has shown that he still has enough left in the tank to perform as one of the top striker’s in the world. He scored 18 goals in just 21 appearances for PSG just a season ago. Like Balotelli, Cavani may be looking for a fresh start, and at his age, the MLS outfit may be his best bet moving forward.

Why It Will Happen

Cavani brings the name recognition and talent that live up to the billing of an LA Superstar, but he also brings a much-needed skill set that was missing from the LA Galaxy during the era of Zlatan. While Cavani has the finishing touch and the aerial prowess that Ibrahimovic brought to the table the past two seasons, he is also willing to play both sides of the ball and make unselfish runs to open space for teammates in the attacking third. With this work-horse mentality, head coach Guillermo Barros Schelotto will be able to implement a more tactical gameplan that will benefit the Galaxy over the course of the season, rather than leaning solely on Zlatan to rescue the team time and again.

Why It Won’t Happen

It is now being reported that Cavani is asking for a salary of at least $11 million per year with his next contract, where Zlatan was making nearly $4 million less in 2019. While, of all the teams in MLS, the Galaxy may possess the financial muscle to meet the offer, it is unlikely that the deal will be completed at such an eye-watering price tag. The Galaxy have had so many glaring weaknesses at other positions on the pitch over the past few seasons that some of that money could be better allocated elsewhere.