The LA Galaxy is pursuing Ghanaian international and KRC Genk winger Joseph Paintsil, the Athletic reports.
Paintsil has a release clause around $8.5million, though it expires early next week. The Galaxy is yet to trigger that clause, sources say. It’ll be a difficult deal to get done with interest around Europe in Paintsil, but the Galaxy are working on it.
The pursuit remains active though no agreement on personal terms is imminent, sources say.
Paintsil, 25, is a goal-scoring winger who has exploded with Genk in the last 18 months. Last season he had 17 goals and 14 assists in 36 league appearances and so far has six goals and four assists in 19 appearances this season.
He can play on either flank, but his career-best 2022-23 season came predominantly as a right winger. Paintsil has nine caps with Ghana.
The Galaxy is finalizing a deal to sign Brazilian winger Gabriel Pec, which will fill one of their two open designated player spots. Paintsil would fill the other if a deal gets done.
Paintsil’s advanced numbers show the type of profile the Galaxy are chasing: A direct, goal-threat on the wing to complement star No. 10 Riqui Puig.
Over the last year, Paintsil is in the 93rd percentile among wingers in non-penalty goals per 90, 97th percentile in non-pen xG and 82nd percentile in expected assists.
His numbers are much lower on passing stats which isn’t an issue with the Galaxy running the game through Puig. Puig needs more goal-dangerous attackers around him, like Pec or Pantisil.
