LAFC center back Walker Zimmerman recently declined a contract offer from LAFC and is exploring options in Europe, according to a source.
Zimmerman, 25, is out of contract at the end of this season. The source said he remains open to returning to LAFC, but that he’s looking for an offer above the MLS maximum budget charge, which will likely be set at $530,000 in 2019. LAFC, who sold center back Laurent Ciman to French club Dijon on Aug. 28, have not yet met his asking price, though club EVP and GM John Thorrington told MLSsoccer.com early this month that they "see Walker as part of [their] future for many years."
The source said that Zimmerman has interest from clubs in France’s Ligue 1, the German Bundesliga and the English Premier League and Championship. Per the source, Zimmerman currently has one written offer from a European team.
Any player making more than the maximum budget charge must either be considered a Designated Player or have their budget charge bought down using Targeted Allocation Money. According to the MLS Players Association, Zimmerman is making $235,000 this season.
Because he’s out of contract after this season, Zimmerman is eligible to sign a pre-contract with a foreign club that would commit him to that team in January. Alternatively, he could wait until his contract expires and sign with any team outside of MLS.
Acquired in an offseason trade from FC Dallas, Zimmerman has made 20 regular season appearances – all starts – for LAFC this year. He’s made 109 career regular season appearances in six years in MLS and has three career caps for the US men’s national team.
LAFC will host the last-place San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday (3:30 pm ET | Univision, Twitter — Full TV & streaming info).
