Michael Ballack

Throughout the offseason, Michael Ballack's name has been linked to MLS, specifically to Montreal. Today, on the day the European transfer window closes, no move was made. In fact, Ballack's agent told Speigel that his client rejected Montreal and will wait until the summer to make his move to "China, Arabia or the United States".

So where in the United States does Ballack want to land? According to the NY Times, he "would only come to MLS if he could play for the Red Bulls". And the Washington Post reports "Red Bulls officials are planning to meet with Michael Ballack's reps in Europe this week". So could Ballack be the mysterious summer DP that Erik Soler and Hans Backe have been talking about all winter?

Perhaps. Or perhaps not, for the Times also says that "the Red Bulls are not interested in Ballack". Instead, the Gray Lady throws in a new name that of Irishman Steven Ireland. The midfielder is currently in Aston Villa, but started his career with Manchester City, intersecting Backe's time as assistant there. Ireland was in hot water recently after skipping an international game because of the death of his grandmother. The grandmother turned out to be alive.

Or maybe it's all hogwash. Stay tuned?