Liga MX: Are the dos Santos brothers Club America bound?
LA Galaxy are in a fight to make MLS playoffs, will this be the last hurrah for Gio and Jona Dos Santos in Galaxy shirts?
On Monday, LA Galaxy midfielder and Mexican international Jonathan Dos Santos tweeted this out:
Sinceramente nos encantaría jugar en el mejor club de Mèxico @ClubAmerica juntos, pero por ahora tenemos otro sueño de hacer historia en @LAGalaxy . We love you Àguilas! pic.twitter.com/htiFKbwC1C
— Jonathan Dos Santos (@jona2santos) October 8, 2018
The Mexican international and his older brother, Giovani dos Santos, have really fallen from the good graces of Mexico fans in the last year or two. After beginning their careers at Barcelona in Spain, Gio would join Tottenham Hotspur and experience loan spells with Ipswich Town, Galatasaray, and Racing Santander. He received just 17 appearances with Spurs in four years with the club. Gio would then spend a year with Mallorca, before rejoining with his brother at Villareal.
In 2015, Gio dos Santos would sign a deal with LA Galaxy of MLS and make the 2016 and 2017 MLS All-Star teams. Since his arrival, dos Santos has made 76 appearances and scored 26 goals. Jonathan would follow to LA in 2017, where he has made 31 appearances with three goals scored.
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Prior to LA Galaxy, however, many were wondering if the dos Santos brothers would return to Mexico to play in Liga MX. Those rumors may continue to swirl as Gio has scored just nine goals combined in 2017 and 2018 after 15 goals in 2016. MLS is looking like they’ll be removing a Designated Player spot on rosters in 2019 and he signed for a reported $7 million in 2015, adding fuel to the fire. Jonathan has been
Jona’s tweet just brings those rumors back. Though they are both approaching 30 years of age, there is reason to believe they could help Las Aguilas. Gio, especially, if he can find the scoring touch and attacking skill he’s shown in the past, could be a good add up front for an America side that struggles to get scoring from their forwards. Jona plays in central midfield for LA Galaxy and would provide good depth and more flexibility.
At one time, Gio was considered the next great Mexican player. Could he regain some of that form in the Mexican top flight?
Ultimately it feels unlikely any move to America will happen. If no move happens in between the Apertura and the beginning of the 2019 MLS season, it feels even more unlikely to ever happen. That leaves a small window for things to line up and materialize. With their form and age, it may be now or never for their chances to play together at Club America.
Though Jona’s tweet is certain to point out they have business with LA Galaxy to take care of, that business will be shortly complete. The dos Santos brothers have made their America interest known. If Las Aguillas think they might be important additions for Clausua 2019, the time to act is near.