Not surprising at all. It seems that many players want to come here, more for the sake of living in America than anything else, but they also recognize that there is something "special" about our little (major) league.
And to provide a link from a source other than MLS Rumors: http://theoffsiderules.blogspot.com/2010/12/deja-vu-other-famous-french-things.html
Anelka was approached by Philadelphia, New York, and Montreal. http://www.lequipe.fr/Football/breves2011/20111122_083832_anelka-vers-la-chine.html
Certainly not Portland. @MerrittPaulson @joel_weakland well aware of all that. talented player but many issues there. portland won't be his destination EDIT: It's awesome to have the most twitter active owner in MLS. Also dropped a player announcement coming in two weeks, possible DP. MerrittPaulson @danrlewis @0bm how do you know he's not signed already? lots going on. won't be making any public announcements soon (2 weeks) though MerrittPaulson @joel_weakland it might take 3 DPs to screw in a light bulb too. if its more DPs you want, you may well be in luck in future
Man I'd love to see him join MLS on any of those teams. Maybe if New York signs him, they'll release Marquez. And yes I know they play different positions.
Assuming they'd have to drop 1 of their 3 DPs, and it won't be Henry. If Rost is set to not return, and Marquez wants to head south of the border, then there's ample DP slots for him to fill. Question is, can an MLS club compete with the cash-carrot being dangled in front of him by one in the Far East. They may play different positions, but it'd be a wash on the headcase front ...
NYRB trades Marquez to LA galaxy to replace Beckham as DP 3 and Sean Franklin as an attacking defender. NYRB signs Anelka. (actually Frank rost was left unprotected and he is their 3rd DP so they will have one free DP spot, maybe they'll sign Rio Ferdinand.)
Its not the number of Designated Player slots, its just about having another big name ready. I don't think New York will bite the bullet on Marquez until they have another international star in place. So if they get Anelka and lose both of Marquez and Rost, then they still have one slot to use on a midfielder. Ballack looks ready to move again and New York wanted him less than 18 months ago. Meh, not even close in my opinion. Anelka has been a part of two nuthouses at Chelsea and the French national team. Not many people come out of those two teams looking great lately.
Soccernet's hinting at Anelka moving to the Impact come January. Anelka has apparently decided on the club he'll be playing for already, and Jesse Marsch has confirmed that talks have taken place.
I doubt he goes to MLS, the article somebody posted in french in this thread clearly mention that Anelka is going to China for 10,6milions euro / per year. The way the article is written makes it as if the decision was clear and final. But I don't know the media so I can't say if it's reliable. Just translating here.
Sorry if I shouldn't put this here. I just don't want to start a thread when it is somewhat related. The players somewhat available or talked about for MLS: (1) Drogba (2) Del Piero (3) Anelka (4) Ballack (5) Trezeguet (6) Ronaldinho- If he continues to not be paid (7) Kuyt (8) Lampard (9) Seedorf I realize some of these have been shot down. Out of those, I think Anelka and Ballack come.
Ives reporting Anelka to Montreal is dead since they can't compete with the money being thrown around by teams from China, Qatar, and Russia.
Marquez is going to Atlas, maybe as part owner. If he comes to LA I'm sending my season tickets back.
WAIT...Ronaldinho is not getting Paid??? Any chance he lands in LA !!! if anyone can be as big as Beckham in MLS it's Ronaldinho!!!!
Ronaldinho would be big from a marketing standpoint. From a soccer standpoint, Drogba would be great. I think he could totally dominate.
http://wildeastfootball.net/2011/12...-joins-shanghai-shenhua-on-two-year-contract/ Looks like Anelka to China is a done deal. Maybe in 2 years (or sooner, contracts in China sometimes do not last as long as they say).
I hope not. Signing in somewhere like Qatar, Saudi Arabia or China is a bad sign for a top level player. I know Europeans feel the same way about MLS, but MLS is a higher quality league and can't bribe players like teams in those leagues can. If he is going to China now, I don't expect him to be playing at a high level in two years.