Ireland with family

Two of the names prominently circulated in Metro rumors have been Michael Ballack and Stephen Ireland. The level of RBNY's interest in the former has been in question, and how his agent has fired back in an interview with Goal.com.

"Michael would love to play in New York. However, it seems that [Erik] Soler already made massive promises to Stephen Ireland in October. This is an unbelievable incident," Michael Becker said. "Ask Erik Soler why he thinks Ballack is a central defender or just a holding midfielder. It's a pretty exclusive point of view. Why would you go for a no-name player who no one knows, who hasn't started in months, when Michael Ballack is available?"

Soler did not respond to the claims, but did tell the New York Post "unequivocally" that the Ireland will not be signed.