Landon Donovan's MLS Return Likely

Unlike the situation with David Beckham at AC Milan, no battle royal has yet broken out over Galaxy striker Landon Donovan.

The forward is on loan to Bayern Munich, but though he scored numerous times in preseason action, he has failed to find the net since for the German club.

That could be helping convince the organization that Donovan's departure at the end of his loan on March 8 is an acceptable outcome.

"Donovan is an interesting player," club president Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said of the American in remarks to German media recently.

Rummenigge pointed out the team's various options at striker. " If you have a Klose, a Toni and a Olic already under contract, then we believe that the fourth player should be young player with good prospects. "

Donovan has not started yet for Bayern, but has seen action consistently as a substitute. With a recent injury to Luca Toni, his minutes could increase, and perhaps Donovan could make a case for Bayern to buy him.

However, Galaxy coach Bruce Arena seemed confident Donovan would return, saying, "We fully expect Landon to be back."

Major League Soccer, who owns all the contracts of players in the league, has hinted that Donovan would not be released at any bargain price. Commissioner Don Garber specifically stated that the league considered Donovan worth more than any other MLS transfer, including that of Jozy Altidore, whose transfer price was around ten million dollars.

Andrea Canales, Goal.com