When Red Bull bought the MetroStars, it was their second purchase of a soccer team, following the transformation of Austria Salzburg into Red Bull Salzburg. So now, with a "sister team" across the pond, some were wondering if some Salzburg players could be in the pipeline. While remembering that the quality of the Austrian league is not that high and that the Austrian national team is not exactly a European power, the possibility of such moves, either on loan or permanent, is intriguing.

So the name of Andreas Ivanschitz has surfaced in the Austrian media as a Reds target. Ivanschitz, 22, was a recent controversial transfer from Rapid Vienna, acquired after the Red Bull takeover. In 2003, he was named Austrian Footballer of the Year at the tender age of 19, and has since captained the Austrian national team. He is sometimes referred as the "Austrian Beckham". Ivanschitz played in nine league matches for Salzburg, scoring a goal; that followed after starting the season with five goals in 18 games for Rapid.

How serious are these overtures? MetroFanatic has learned that Salzburg has offered New York some of their lesser players, which were all so far rejected by Mo Johnston. Ivanschitz? It looks like Salzburg rejected the idea. For now.