By DAVE MARTINEZ
With a little more than two weeks remaining until the close of the MLS summer transfer window, the New York Red Bulls have a Designated Player in their sights.
According to head coach Hans Backe, the Red Bulls have targeted and are currently in negotiations with a potential third DP to join the likes of Thierry Henry and Rafa Marquez.
"Yeah, absolutely, we are looking for that, and we are in negotiations, but that will probably take time," Backe said after Wednesday’s practice.
When asked whether the team was negotiating with a club or the player himself, Backe stated, "It’s always difficult to finish personal terms. It takes time."
One possible hint as to the type of player the team may be looking for came when discussing the status of Luke Rodgers. Though the team says they are still leaving the door open for the English striker, whose visa situation has still not been cleared up, Backe made clear the team still places the acquisition of a quality starter as a top priority. In terms of other forward options for the club, former Colorado Rapids forward Quincy Amarikwa has been on trial.
"We hope for (Rodgers), but you never know," he said. "That’s the target; to get one quality guy up front. We trade one or we buy one from Europe, we don’t really know yet. It takes time. It’s not overnight we do these trades or buying players from Europe."
Negotiations between New York and a potential third DP will continue, and, according to the coach, there is no league interference in the team's dealings, it is just a matter of the two parties coming to an agreement.
New York has recently been linked to the likes of Aston Villa's Stephen Ireland and German star Michael Ballack, both of whom would require a DP style contract. As recently as last month, though, general manager Erik Soler stated the team would look toward a younger player for its final DP slot.
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Who do you think the Red Bulls' third DP will be? What kind of player do you think the team should be targeting?
Share your thoughts below.
Looks at watch…counting down minutes until New York City has a new team.
my bad, thats the fire
Tribune’s been reporting in the that NYRB are after some young dutch striker named Sherjill MacDonald.
lol…almost lost my coffee
Ireland sucks…I don’t even like NYRB but I’d be angry if an MLS designated player slot was used on his bald @$$.
I guess Riquelme is looking for a new place.
We very clearly need a YOUNG, skillful, creative, attacking central midfielder. The fact that Backe is suggesting a striker in addition to Henry and Cooper demonstrates his incompetence. Yes, Henry is injured all the time but if we play possession oriented football and spread the field, we’ll score plenty of goals even with Henry on the bench
It’s weak that some DPs can’t/won’t play on turf, but it’s even weaker that there are 3 new teams, plus 1 old team, in MLS that play on carpet.
Too bad Salomon Kalou already penned a deal elsewhere. Would have been a great fit (in all aspects: team, as a younger solid DP w/ storied career, to the NYRB franchise, MLS as a brand, etc). Based on the recent Steve Nash fundraiser, it looked as if Kalou to the MLS was likely. Guess he wants to wait until he’s 30+ to get a call to the states.
yeah dude, he specifically commented on him being in LA.
thanks, we ALREADY KNEW THIS. how many articles are going to be out saying NY are “in talks with another DP”. we know, we know, we know. please write something when we know WHO it is.
haha LMGTFY
http://lmgtfy.com/?q=Frank+Lampard+LA+Galaxy
look right up at the top there. it very well may be posturing, but emphatic is really the only way to describe his statement
I agree with you 100% there Michael but you need to understand that Backe does not have it in him to be creative when it comes to using the talent this club had, it shows in our style of play very predictable, uninspired and inconsistent. We don’t need another striker. What we need is an attacking mid/ playmaker but I’m tired of saying the same thing. Other shortcomings we have is playing with a lone striker, it does not work for us. Backe and Soler need to deliver something…
Um…NY needs a CAM and Boca would be terrible there. He could hoof passes over the end line and watch Henry have a fit.
Because DeRo and Henry played similar roles and the chemistry was just not there.
Kaka?
dero was crap at ny
Why another striker? They have the 2 best in MLS right now! They need a world class CM
Because they are stupid.
They could acquire the spot if they’re not. Boca would seem to be a perfect fit.
Sheva is EXACTLY the type of player MLS should avoid like the plague. He played uninspired football with Chelsea 3 years ago, yet somehow playing MLS will motivate him? NYRB needs someone hungry or someone with an edge or someone with something to prove, not someone just looking to collect a paycheck.
Luke Rodgers? Seriously? Why? please tell us WHY !!!
Why is NY obsessed with him? Season 2011 10 Goals and few assists.
Google Frank Lampard MLS and look at the news section. There’s a ton of links, and he specifically addressed his LA visit
link? Because he was in LA recently and rumors were swirling. Even emphatic statements are sometimes just posturing for negotiations.
The next DP should be a new head trainer. All these injuries are caused an overall lack of fitness.
Pretty sure NY is NOT top in the allocation order.
Actually you can check out the sun on http://www.SoundersFC.com for the Lamar Hunt USOC semifinal tonight !
Se4444tttllle ! Sooooouuuunders !
Lampard has already stated emphatically that he isn’t coming here
Who cares…It’s DC’s gain and we aren’t looking back. Maybe the RB’s can send us the next MVP they get a hold of too.
Or Lampard
Kaka
Exain to me again why the NYRB traded DeRo? His quality at 300K was a steal.
Aw, man, I love Rigazzi’s.
Could Carlos Bocanegra be the 3rd DP?
We’re all aware of the Rangers newco situation, and Boca is looking for another club.
Alot of chatter appears that he is returning to MLS. NYRB does need defensive help.
If the next DP is over 32 years old, I may blow my top.
I’d be interested if the DP (“buying players from Europe”) and striker ideas are the same single idea. Why not sign Sheva and use Henry as a wing where he has played some? Play something like
Sheva Cooper
Richards McCarty Lindpere Henry
etc.
I don’t understand the Rodgers obsession, he was a solid but only somewhat productive player. Cooper has more goals by half season, playing among most of the same players, than Rodgers did all last year. Consider it an upgrade and move on.
Ballack is past it and even preparing for TV work, Ireland is not productive enough to change anything. I’m surprised that the same Red Bull entity which has bought F1 titles hasn’t taken more advantage of the DP rules and gone out and bought themselves someone young and productive. I know lots of players’ goal is Europe and traditional success but there are mercenary players like Asamoah Gyan (or maybe Shane Smeltz or some A-leaguer) who should respond to a bank truck backed to their house. Weird for Red Bull to be more passive than LAG. [I know Marquez has not gone well, but that’s a write off…]
The article said, “As recently as last month, though, general manager Erik Soler stated the team would look toward a younger player for its final DP slot.”
…then again, how good is Soler’s word?
half* ; good point tho. id be pissed if my club’s big investments were sitting that much.
certainly need a younger player if they are going to add.
Huh? your butthurt is showing.
NY Post is reporting that Stephen Ireland is NOT an option. Does that leave Ballack? What about Riquelme?
And why is the city to blame and not management? You’re making yourself look silly!
+10000000
Oh James is Seattle rainy again today?
If this team can get healthy they are going to destroy everyone.
——Henry-Cooper
———–DP
Lindpere———–Solli
———McCarty
Pearce-Conde-Marquez-Barklage
———-Meara
Bench: Ballouchy, Richards, Holgersson, Lade, Miller, Palsson, (maybe Rodgers too?)
Health is the concern.
Maybe they should sign Carvalho, so he can play all the games Marquez misses.
I keep repeating Red Bulls need a creative midfielder,
or will never win anything,bedides the DP’s play only
have of the games.
hahah +1
Wait, more quality up front? That’s the issue here?
Shouldn’t this comment be held until we find out who the DP is? It just seems like you’re trashing them for simply trying to improve the team
And NY continues to show us how NOT to run an MLS team.
And this is the city the MLS is trying it’s hardest to get in bed with!?