Galaxy’s Nigel De Jong Set For Galatasaray Transfer

By Shawn Medow
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Updated: August 29, 2016

According to multiple reports in Turkey and the Netherlands, Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder Nigel de Jong is on his way to Istanbul-based club Galatasaray.

The potential transfer was first reported on Aug. 25 by Dutch reporter Maarten Wijffels.

Nieuws: Galatasaray wil Nigel de Jong. Terugkeer vanuit de VS dus voor de 31-jarige middenvelder. @ADSportwereld #oranje

— Maarten Wijffels (@m_wijffelsAD) August 26, 2016

The tweet translates to: “News: Galatasaray want Nigel de Jong. Return from the U.S. for the 31-year-old midfielder.”

The report did not pick up much traction until Aug. 29 when Wijffels tweeted an update.

Een update op dit bericht van vrijdag: #nigel de Jong is bij #Galatasaray nu. Transfer zal er wel komen https://t.co/ypMTJHkTof

— Maarten Wijffels (@m_wijffelsAD) August 29, 2016

The tweet translates to: “An update on this post from Friday: Nigel de Jong is at Galatasaray now. Transfer will come.”

Major League Soccer’s transfer window has closed, but this is only in effect for interleague trades. According to the league’s website, “Players can still be transferred from MLS clubs to teams in other countries after the deadline as long as the transfer window in the country receiving the player is still open. Also, MLS teams can sign players who are out of contract until the roster freeze date on Sept. 15, 2016.”

This means that the Galaxy can sell De Jong to Galatasaray before the end of the summer transfer window at the start of September. If the reports are true, De Jong is in Turkey now and is set to sign a contract with the deal to be announced soon.

For the Galaxy’s big picture, this is a big loss for a team struggling to find form before the MLS playoffs. LA has suffered multiple injuries in recent weeks that have shaken up starting lineups for every match. De Jong played for the Galaxy during the club’s 0-0 draw at home against the Vancouver Whitecaps on Saturday Aug. 27.

LA has other midfielders who fit the role that De Jong plays. Jeff Larentowicz, Steven Gerrard and Rafael Garcia are among those suitable for that role, however, with injuries constantly popping up in this Galaxy side, losing De Jong could hurt LA in the long run as the club pushes for a record sixth MLS Cup.