Football
Tom Marshall, Mexico correspondent 9y

Javier 'Chicharito' Hernandez unlikely to join MLS in summer - sources

With the official announcement over Giovani dos Santos' move to Los Angeles Galaxy in the books, his Mexican compatriot Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez is less likely to join him in MLS this summer.

Hernandez has been heavily linked to Orlando City, but sources with knowledge of the state of play have confirmed to ESPN FC that there is a big difference between the offer from the MLS franchise and what the player is looking for, despite the club hoping for some positive news about the transfer.

Manchester United striker Hernandez is looking to earn around $10 million, according to an ESPN FC source, in MLS, which is significantly higher than the reported $6 million per year that Mexico teammate Dos Santos is set to make at the Galaxy.

Orlando's offer currently falls some way short of making 27-year-old Hernandez the highest paid player in MLS, which a player of his talent, age and popularity in the United States would realistically seek.

ESPN Mexico also quoted a source close to Hernandez on Tuesday, saying that further negotiations between club and player are unlikely to take place at this point due to the significant difference between what is on the table and the striker's demands.

A separate source consulted by ESPN FC said "Chicharito" would prefer to stay in Europe and was simply testing the MLS waters at this point in his career, while another confirmed talks with an MLS club "have cooled" of late.

Hernandez has one year left on his contract with Manchester United and is currently with the Mexican national team at the Gold Cup, although he isn't in the squad, after fracturing his collarbone in a warm-up match against Honduras on July 1.

There have been lots of rumors about Hernandez's potential destination, with West Ham and Besiktas mentioned in recent days, while the player's agent is on record earlier this summer stating there is interest from teams spanning seven countries.

ESPN FC's Jeff Carlisle contributed to this report.

^ Back to Top ^