De Jong's departure opens the door for L.A. Galaxy's next big-name signing

Nigel De Jong left the Los Angeles Galaxy to join Turkish side Galatasaray on a free transfer after the two parties agreed to “mutually terminate” the Dutch midfielder’s contract. The 31-year-old enjoyed a brief, productive and somewhat controversial tenure with the Galaxy after signing for the five-time MLS champions from AC Milan in January.

With his ball winning, on-field organization and range of passing, the well-traveled, hard-tackling De Jong has at times provided a Gibraltar-like presence in the center of the park during an uneven season for the Galaxy. However, he also served two multi-match bans during his relatively short time in MLS; one early in the season for an over-the-ball challenge on Portland’s Darlington Nagbe, and another in July for a similar challenge on Vancouver’s Blas Perez.

But despite making 18 MLS starts for the Galaxy, and at times being the Los Angeles outfit’s best player, De Jong was, it seems, deemed ultimately too hot to handle for a league like MLS that values fair play and projecting a sportsmanlike image.

While at times it’s seemed that De Jong’s reputation led to him being penalized for things other players might have got away with, his move to the Turkish Super League could ultimately be the best thing for both parties.

For his part, De Jong will almost certainly receive a boost in pay playing at one of the big three clubs in Turkey. He will also be reunited with former Netherlands and Ajax teammate Wesley Sneijder and could find his way back into the frame for the Netherlands national team.

And while his departure comes at a difficult time for the Galaxy, it does open up space on the club’s roster for adding another marquee, designated player to its ranks next season.

Had he remained with the Galaxy, De Jong would’ve assumed the designated player spot that will be vacated by Steven Gerrard at the end of the season. This would’ve resulted in a multi-million dollar pay raise for the player, but it would also have put the Galaxy at its maximum allotment of three DPs.

With Gerrard, who is expected to hang up his boots at season’s end, and De Jong both gone, the Galaxy will have an opportunity to add a new big name to its DP roster, which in addition to Gerrard, currently includes Giovani Dos Santos and Robbie Keane.

One possibility could be another move for Zlatan Ibrahimovic. The Galaxy had been in contact with Swedish striker’s camp earlier in the summer and at one point it was reported he was “90 percent” more likely to join the Galaxy over Manchester United. Ibrahimovic eventually did go on to join United, where he has already scored three goals in three appearances.

However, Zlatan is on a one-year deal in the Premier League and despite his high-flying start, it remains to be seen how enthusiastic a club like Man United will be about having a 36-year-old striker (Zlatan turns 35 this October) on its books next season.

Meanwhile, with Keane’s powers seemingly beginning to wane, Los Angeles will be in need of adding some firepower up top at some point. The Galaxy could also be feeling the pressure to bring in evermore-spectacular DP signings in the face of New York City FC’s superstar-laden roster and the impending arrival of cash-flush Los Angeles FC to the league in 2018.

As to whether Bruce Arena’s side will be second-time lucky in its pursuit of Zlatan, it remains to be seen. But De Jong’s departure, untimely as it may be, could reopen the door to the possibility of seeing Ibrahimovic in Galaxy colors at some point.