TRANSFER TRACKER STATUS: Reports
UPDATE (February 19, 12:25 pm ET): As the LA Galaxy reportedly look to bring back Cristian Pavon, the Argentina national team forward recently underwent surgery for bilateral fibrosis on both ankles. Pavon is expected to miss two months while recovering.
Pavon’s father then addressed the operation and his son’s status with Boca Juniors during an interview with TyC Sports, describing a tenuous relationship with the Buenos Aires-based side.
“It’s true that Cristian told Russo that he doesn’t want to stay in Boca anymore,” Pavon’s father said of a conversation with Boca Juniors coach Miguel Ángel Russo, via a translation from John Rojas.
Meanwhile, Pavon’s father also said there’s an offer from the Galaxy on the table. Pavon will need to recover, but he seems genuinely interested in returning to LA after previously recording 13 goals and 15 assists in 33 games while on loan.
“Even now, after the surgery, they want to close the deal and take care of the recovery process,” Pavon’s father said.
ORIGINAL (February 11, 11:40 am ET): The LA Galaxy have made Boca Juniors a formal offer to bring back forward Cristian Pavon, according to multiple reports out of Argentina.
As outlined in a TyC Sports story, the Galaxy have reportedly put forth $6 million for 60% of Pavon’s rights. That would result in significantly less being sent to the Argentine Primera División club than the $20 million purchase option that came with Pavon’s initial LA loan from 2019-20.
Plus, the TyC Sports report adds that Pavon hopes to leave Boca Juniors and compete elsewhere. With winter transfer windows closed in major European leagues, the landing spots are limited. Meanwhile, the MLS Primary Transfer Window runs through May 4.
The Galaxy, entering their first season under former Toronto FC head coach Greg Vanney, have made clear their desire to get Pavon back. The 25-year-old was a dynamic winger for LA, recording 13 goals and 15 assists in 33 games (all starts). He memorably teamed up with Zlatan Ibrahimovic in 2019, though didn’t quite develop the same relationship in 2020 with Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez as Mexico's all-time leading scorer experienced ups and downs during his first MLS season.
Pavon has made 11 appearances with Argentina’s senior national team, including four matches at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. Across 118 games for Boca, Pavon has 29 goals and 34 assists in all competitions.
A high-end MLS forward, a player of Pavon’s caliber would go a long way in helping LA return to the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs. LA, winners of a record five MLS Cups, have missed the postseason in three of the past four seasons.
