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?
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