LA Galaxy nearing deal for Marseille's Romain Alessandrini - source

The LA Galaxy are inching closer to acquiring Olympique Marseille winger Romain Alessandrini, a league source has confirmed to ESPN FC.

French publication L'Equipe reported earlier on Sunday that Alessandrini was headed to Los Angeles to hammer out the final details of the contract. ESPN FC first reported the Galaxy's interest in Alessandrini back on Jan. 9.

A league source told ESPN FC that negotiations over the transfer fee are still ongoing, with the Galaxy and MLS prepared to pay between $1.5 million and $1.7m for the midfielder's services. What is more certain is that Alessandrini is looking at a designated player contract that will pay him between $1.2m and $1.5m.

Reached by email, Galaxy president Chris Klein declined to comment.

Alessandrini possesses speed and the ability to attack defenders one-on-one. He arrived in Marseille prior to the 2014-15 season after successful spells with Gueugnon, Clermont, and Rennes.

But after making 57 league and cup appearances with 11 goals during his first two campaigns with Marseille, Alessandrini has been limited to just eight league and cup matches this season.

Injuries and manager Rudi Garcia's preference for Florian Thauvin, Remy Cabella and Clinton Njie on the wings has been the primary reason that Alessandrini has made a pair of substitute appearances since the start of the year. Marseille's closing in on Dimitri Payet has surely aided the Galaxy in their quest for the 27-year-old.

The Galaxy have cash to spend after the departures of Steven Gerrard, Robbie Keane and Landon Donovan since the end of the 2016 campaign.