Report: LA Galaxy in talks with Timbers about acquiring Jorge Villafana

ESPN’s Jeff Carlisle reported on WednesdayL that the that the LA Galaxy are looking to acquire defender Jorge Villafana from the Portland Timbers.

One proposal has the Timbers receiving the Galaxy’s No. 8 pick in the MLS SuperDraft. The Timbers would send Villafana and their draft pick to the Galaxy in exchange. Carlisle also noted that whatever happens, it is all contingent on the 31-year-old left back signing a new deal.

Carlisle wrote that the deal would satisfy both sides if completed.

The deal, if completed, would satisfy objectives for both teams. For the Galaxy, it would give them an established full-back to bolster a defense that was the second-worst in MLS in 2020 at 1.95 goals allowed per game. Portland meanwhile would create space within their salary budget. While the MLS Players Association didn’t provide salary data in 2020, information from 2019 revealed that Villafana made $600,000 in base salary and $617,500 in guaranteed compensation.

Villafana was traded to Portland from the now defunct Chivas USA in 2013, helping Portland claim the MLS Cup back in 2015. Villafana was then sold to Santos Laguna in Liga MX before returning in 2018 to Portland. He has made 63 appearance across the regular season and playoffs.

We will update as more information becomes available.