UPDATE (Feb. 16, 1:35 pm ET): The deal for Independiente center back Alan Franco is reportedly getting closer for the LA Galaxy. ESPN reporter Rodrigo S. Volpi tweeted the club upped the offer to $3.5 million for the 23-year-old, who would likely leave in March at the conclusion of the Superliga campaign.
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The LA Galaxy have already added Argentine left back Emiliano Insua this offseason, and now a center back from the same country has been linked to the club, according to reports out of South America.
Independiente center back Alan Franco has been identified as a player of interest for LA, with one report stating an offer of $2.2 million was received and deemed insufficient. The reports indicate that no deal is imminent, though an improved price could reportedly make the 23-year-old available.
Franco has been with Independiente since 2017 (95 appearances) and made his debut for Argentina’s national team in a September 2018 friendly against Guatemala. He’s also a former teammate of Atlanta United midfielder Ezequiel Barco at the Primera Division club.
The Galaxy could feasibly be searching for another center back, with their roster currently including Daniel Steres, Giancarlo Gonzalez and newcomer Nick DePuy as primary options up the spine. LA conceded 59 goals last year, which was the most of all Audi MLS Cup Playoff teams.
