The summer transfer season is certainly underway. Fresh speculation is in the air, as players, coaches and agents alike all make suggestions about their futures and the futures of their clients and teammates. The most interesting U.S.-related news of the day was Chelsea midfielder Claude Makelele’s suggestion that MLS could be in his future. “The United States is an option,” the 34-year-old told French TV. “It would not prevent me from playing for France, ask the coach.”
Makelele’s Chelsea teammate, Didier Drogba, expressed his wish to see Lyon midfielder and close friend Florent Malouda, also a France international, at Stamford Bridge next season. “I am keen to go and get him all the way on foot myself,” Drogba said. Elsewhere in England, Cesc Fabregas dropped the hint that both he and striker Thierry Henry could be leaving Arsenal. Both Barcelona and AC Milan have been publicly pursuing Henry, while Fabregas joined the Frenchman in saying he would go if head coach Arsene Wenger departs this summer. Meanwhile, Sam Allardyce continues to reshape Newcastle, having landed Manchester City’s Joey Barton for $11 million while nearing a deal with Middlesbrough for Mark Viduka, too. Also, Aston Villa reportedly wants Nigel Reo-Coker; West Ham wants $16 million.
Elsewhere, German giant Bayern Munich said it’s closing in Marseille midfielder Franck Ribery for a reported $34 million. Rumors also persists that Miroslav Klose could join Bayern from Werder Bremen. Over at AC Milan, Alberto Gilardino wants out, while clubs execs confirmed their pursuit of Henry, and if not, Barca’s Samuel Eto’o.