Serie A Club Livorno Interested in Landon Donovan

Consider this a rumor that's slowly gaining steam over the last few days. Goal.com confirmed Wednesday that Landon Donovan's agent has been contacted by promoted Serie A club Livorno for a possible transfer to the Italian club. The report also confirms that the club is also interested in U.S. midfielder Ricardo Clark.

It's surprising that after his standout performance during June's Confederations Cup that a small-ish club like Livorno is the first to make official contact with Donovan and attempt to pry him away from the Los Angeles Galaxy this summer.

Obviously a move to a stronger league like Serie A would benefit Donovan as he tries to hone his game ahead of the 2010 World Cup. However moving to a club like Livorno seems like an odd match for both parties involved. Even though he wasn't extended a contract, Donovan did spend time with Bayern Munich earlier this year so a move to a club like Livorno might seem like a bit of a step down.

As a promoted club Livorno is looking for proven attacking players and as we've seen with Donovan, he's no sure thing once he crosses the Atlantic. Perhaps Donovan would relish the challenge of becoming the go-to attacking player for a club, yet it would seem like a burden for a player of any stature, especially one with well-documented flame outs in Europe. At least he'd be in line for serious playing time.

In short, its a move fraught with risks for both parties involved.

Something else to consider about a possible move away from the Galaxy are the comments made by Donovan in Grant Wahl's The Beckham Experiment. The U.S's all-time leading goal-scorer called out David Beckham for his perceived lack of commitment to the Galaxy during his flirtations with AC Milan last winter. It wouldn't exactly look great for Donovan, the club's leading scorer, to bolt in the midst of the MLS season to a European club especially with the Galaxy on track to at least qualify for the league playoffs.

A more likely scenario would be for Donovan, like Beckham, to finish out the MLS season and then head to Europe during the January transfer window. Donovan has hinted he's finally ready for a move to Europe and with People magazine reporting he's separated earlier this week with his wife, actress Bianca Kajlich, the timing would appear right for Donovan to finally show he can compete in the crucible that is European soccer.

And if Donovan continues to carry the form he's had all summer come January the line of clubs looking for his signature might be a little longer than promoted Serie A teams.