I'm sure after being runners-up in the Champions League just last year it seemed preposterous to imagine Bayer Leverkusen being relegated to the 2nd Bundesliga in the following year. But slowly it looks like that's going to be the case, especially after today's 4:1 thrashing by my HSV. If Leverkusen does not sell Donovan down the road, is there any type of clause (which I'm sure was not foreseen) that allows him out of that contract if Leverkusen is playing second division football? Eventually his loan with San Jose will run out and they'll want him back or expect compensation for him from MLS, which I'm not sure the League could afford. I just want to know if it's possible he'd be their building block now for getting BACK to the First Bundesliga...
A very good question. Perhaps in the Second Division LD wouldn't get hacked around as much. OTOH, he would be on the same playing "level" as Connor Casey.
I certainly hope Landon Donovan doesn't get the call, but I sadly think it may be likely since he is an excellent player and I don't think he makes as much money as many players on Leverkusen.
hmm...Leverkusen sell off players to stay aflot in the 2.Bundesliga. But they need good players in order to return to the 1. Bundesliga next year. They cant get "big money" for LD like they can the players on the current 1st team, so he's no good to sell. So they call him back in August to start the German season in mid season form. Yeah, I can see that.
Doesn't the loan deal with MLS involve some sort of payment to MLS if Bayer choose to recall him before the end of the loan period. Would a relegated team want to pay this for someone they know does not want to be there? To be honest though, if this clause exists, I have no idea what the fee would be for Donovan to return. They could recall him, and then sell him, I suppose.