The deal on the table
Three weeks ago Los Angeles Football Club took Dutch winger Javairô Dilrosun on a Designated Player loan from Club América that runs through July 24th 2025 and includes a purchase option. The 27-year-old arrived during the new FIFA Club World Cup window and instantly filled the DP slot vacated by Cengiz Ünder, who LAFC did not feel the need to renew his loan or purchase him.
What LAFC would get if they trigger the option
- Versatility: Left-footed but comfortable on either flank, Dilrosun can replicate Steve Cherundolo's preferred inverted-winger patterns, or tuck inside as a Number 10.
- European experience: Ajax and Manchester City academy graduate, Bundesliga breakout at Hertha with 54 apps and 7G/9A, Ligue 1 loan to Bordaux, Eredivisie title with Feyenoord, and a Liga MX double with América.
- Age curve & resale: At 27 he slots between LAFC's veterans DPs (Bouanga 30, Olivier Giroud 38, though he's left at the time of writing), giving the club a potential sell-on asset as the club prefers to heavily rotate the squad.
- Cap maths: A permanent DP keeps LAFC's flexibility - if they buy him they still control a third DP slot since Giroud left this summer.
Price check
Sources on both sides of the border say the loan includes a fee in the 6-7 million USD range and a purchase clause near 9 million USD, payable next July. When you add MLS’s fixed DP charge (~$683k cap hit), the total outlay would be mid-table by LAFC standards, lower than the 10 million USD they spent on Bouanga in 2022.
Enter the Bouanga rumour mill
Over the past week Club América have reportedly enquired about LAFC star Denis Bouanga. Mexican outlet TUDN and follow-up pieces in GOAL claim LAFC set an asking price of ~12 million USD, while fan chatter suggests a make-weight that could turn Dilorun’s loan into a permanent swap.
Does a Bouanga-for-Dilrosun (+ cash) trade add up?
| Metric | Bouanga | Dilrosun | LAFC angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| Age | 30 | 27 | LAFC get younger |
| 2025 MLS output | 8 G / 5 A in 16 GP | Only 1 app at the time of writing | Bouanga still elite |
| Market value | ~$9.4 m | ~$3 m | Cash likely changes hands |
| Commercial pull | Golden-Boot star | Lower profile | Could boost ticket sales |
Both players are in their prime, and it’ll be interesting to see how it turns out.
Sporting POV: LAFC lose a 20-goal scorer (back to back) but gain a younger, high-ceiling winger.
Business POV: Profit on a 30-year-old aligns with MLS’s asset strategy.
Current likelihood: ~15 % the mega-swap happens this summer; more likely LAFC reassess after their current season ends in November/December, and meanwhile use Nathan Ordaz and David Martinez, who have both proved themselves to provide at a first time level.
What I think
I think LAFC should wait it out until their 2025 season wraps up before pulling the trigger. I would like to see the front line be Denis Bouanga, Jeremy Ebobissee, and Nathan Ordaz. I think while yes, Bouanga has missed some big opportunities and can be selfish at times, he’s proved himself over the years he’s spent at LAFC winning multiple trophies and winning the golden boot. I also would like to see Bouanga stay, and use the Club World Cup money to purchase Dilrosun separately, then have the front three be Bouanga - Nathan Ordaz - Dilrosun.
Bottom Line
A permanent Dilorosun deal makes sense even if Bouanga stays: age, wage, and fit line up with LAFC’s next roster cycle. If América sweeten the pot enough, LAFC could cash in on Bouanga and still field a dynamic Dutch winger - but only if Dilrosun can approach Bouanga’s production by 2026.
Watch-list
- How Dilrosun preforms in MLS until his loan expires.
- América’s next formal bid.
- LAFC’s Designated Player slot math as Giroud left.