Gio Reyna is the perfect Carlos Vela replacement after Antoine Griezmann's LAFC rejection

LAFC manager Steven Cherundolo has been a fantastic servant for the club, winning an MLS Cup, Supporters’ Shield and U.S. Open Cup, but without a bona fide superstar among its ranks, LAFC risks falling into irrelevancy.

The club will be active in the summer transfer window and will have a couple of designated player spots to play around with. Of its current front three, only Denis Bouanga should be considered untouchable.

Bouanga has carried on his fine form from the past two seasons into this one, bagging 11 goals and providing four assists in his 21 games. Jeremy Ebobisse and Nathan Ordaz, the other two who played in the win over Club America, on the other hand, would be more replaceable.

Reyna would be the perfect player to come in and fill the void left by Vela’s retirement and Griezmann’s rejection. The 22-year-old is unloved and unwanted at Borussia Dortmund, placed on the transfer list as it seeks to raise funds for the summer, according to Sky Sports journalist Florian Plettenberg.

He has the kind of name a franchise can build around, a member of one of America's great soccer dynasties. His versatility would also be a huge bonus. Although he's a natural winger, as Reyna has grown up, he's played more centrally for Dortmund and during his loan with Nottingham Forest in 2023-24.

Frankie Amaya, on loan from Toluca, will return to his parent club in January. Playing on the right side of the midfield trio, and although he's fresh, Amaya has struggled to make a genuine impact this season, failing to provide a goal contribution in his seven games. Reyna would also improve that position.

He has a point to prove. His career in Europe has stagnated, starting just five of his 25 games for the Germans, scoring two goals and providing one assist in the process. The chance to come home and revitalize his career, especially ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, in a slightly less demanding league would likely be tempting.

Valued at $12.5 million, he won’t come cheap, but at such a young age, he would have considerable resale value, unlike Griezmann, who would be turning 36 once his new deal with Atletico Madrid expires.

Systematically, it makes a lot of sense, too. Cherundolo loves a busy winger. The type of player who can impact games offensively but isn’t afraid to do the dirty work and help defensively when needed. That’s exactly what Reyna would offer LAFC.

It doesn't play with much width, and neither Vela nor Griezmann could be considered out-and-out wingers anyway; they’re more like inside forwards, receiving the ball from midfield before cutting inside and running at defenders or taking a shot.

As destinations go, it could be a lot worse than SoCal, and Reyna has plenty of time to return to Europe should he want to. For now, the move would be good for all parties.