Palmeiras Set to Steal LA Galaxy Star | OneFootball

Palmeiras is aiming high. After snagging Facundo Torres from the Major League Soccer (MLS) market, the club’s got its sights set on more. And this time, the target is a big one: Gabriel Pec, the Brazilian star shining for LA Galaxy. Sounds impossible? Maybe. But here’s the thing: Palmeiras isn’t messing around. With the FIFA Club World Cup fast approaching, Abel Ferreira wants reinforcements that match the challenge. The team’s already lost three key attacking players this window, so finding a new forward is top priority. Pec? He’s looking like the perfect fit. The catch? He doesn’t come cheap.

Gabriel Pec has been balling out in the U.S. Since swapping Vasco for LA Galaxy, the guy didn’t just settle in; he became one of the league’s biggest names. The stats speak for themselves: 41 games, 21 goals, and 19 assists. And that’s not even counting the fact that he snagged the MLS’ Reinforcement of the Year award, beating none other than Luis Suárez, one of the most iconic strikers of the 21st century.

But wait, there’s more. Pec has played so well that Europe’s starting to take notice. At the end of 2024, both Arsenal and Liverpool showed interest in him. Yep, we’re talking about two of the richest and most competitive clubs in the world. If Premier League teams are eyeing him, you know there’s something big going on.

So, can Palmeiras compete with that kind of interest? The money might be in England, but soccer is also about project and personal goals. And that’s where Palmeiras can make its move.

If there’s any team in Brazil that can hold its own against foreign offers, it’s Palmeiras. Financially stable, with a solid coach and a strong squad, the club brings something a lot of players appreciate: stability and the chance for titles. And let’s be real, for a guy who's already conquered the MLS, coming back to Brazil to play in the Libertadores and face European giants in the Club World Cup doesn’t sound like such a bad deal.

The biggest obstacle? The price. Pec’s tied to LA Galaxy until 2028 and is valued at 12 million euros. That’s a hefty price tag by Brazilian standards. But here’s the thing: Palmeiras dropped 9 million euros on Aníbal Moreno and 10 million on Flaco López. So, if they really want him, the club’s got the financial muscle to pull it off. The MLS might not be the most technical league out there, but it’s a selling market. If Palmeiras shows up with the right offer, it wouldn’t be shocking to see the Americans willing to negotiate.

Why’s Palmeiras so focused on the MLS? Simple: quality and opportunity. The U.S. league is packed with young, talented players who are, above all, undervalued by the European market. Brazilian clubs have traditionally looked to South America for signings, but the MLS is turning into a goldmine of solid options, and unlike in Europe, U.S. clubs aren’t the type to hold on to players at any cost.

Palmeiras has already brought in Facundo Torres from Orlando City, and now it’s in advanced talks with Micael, a defender from Houston Dynamo. If Pec comes next, it’ll be clear that Palmeiras sees the MLS as a genuine talent factory.

Imagine this: Palmeiras signs Gabriel Pec, and the guy goes on to dominate in the Libertadores and Club World Cup. Suddenly, the MLS wouldn’t be that “weak” league so many people still insist on overlooking. It’d be the league that developed a forward capable of shining in the biggest club competition on the planet. And if Palmeiras does manage to pull off this deal, don’t be surprised if other Brazilian clubs start paying closer attention to the U.S. What was once seen as a destination for veteran players might just become the next big talent hotspot.