Omar Gonzalez: the Galaxy contract / transfer situation we are not talking about enough

David Beckham has written the last pages in the chapter of his brilliant career marked “L.A. Galaxy.”

Landon Donovan is still giving the whole professional soccer thing a good “think,” and only he knows what’s ahead for him as a contributing Galaxy man.

Robbie Keane may still test the loan waters in England, so we have that to talk about over warming totties or New Year’s brews. Even goalkeeper Josh Saunders, apparently on the outs for the two-time MLS champs, looks topical as we hash out the shifting Galaxy roster.

But I have not seen nearly enough talk about Omar Gonzalez, who is probably more central to the Galaxy success (past and ongoing, that is) than any of the names mentioned above.

Yes, Beckham and Donovan and Keane, the former Galaxy DPs three, were essential in the 2012 championship effort. But it would not have happened but for Gonzalez’s stabilizing effect on the back line. Dollar for dollar, there may not be a more valuable man in MLS.

So beginning tomorrow, we all really should be more vigilant on the Omar Gonzalez transfer watch. The 2011 MLS Defender of the Year – and soon to be national team regular, judging by some of Jurgen Klinsmann’s recent comments … and also judging by common freakin’ sense – has one year remaining on his MLS deal. It will expire at the end of the 2013 season.

That means the Galaxy must seriously consider any offers that land for the imposing center back, now 24.

Here is what Galaxy coach Bruce Arena told the L.A. Galaxy Insider about a month ago

It’s based on if there is an offer there, we have to consider it. The only timeline is that the end of January is the end of the transfer window. Omar Gonzalez is on our team. We’re not worried about anything until that changes and, right now, he’s a member of our team.”

If the Galaxy waits past January they could lose Gonzalez without compensation as early as this summer. (In that scenario, Gonzalez would remain with the Galaxy through the 2013 MLS season, signing a pre-contract elsewhere and then joining in one year’s time.)

They could sell Gonzalez during the summer window, although his value would likely be reduced (since a club could gain his services without a transfer fee simply by waiting another few months.)

The other option, of course, is that the Galaxy acts now to tie up Gonzalez for another few years. But that could mean signing the big defender to a lucrative deal that makes him a Designated Player, which makes the whole exercise far more complicated because it ties into so many other elements.

So, yes … this one deserves a little more January attention than we’ve been devoting so far.