Rumors Swirl About Zinedine Zidane Joining MLS Galaxy

Zidane Reportedly Rejects Multiple AEG Overtures To Play In MLS

Despite reports that the MLS Galaxy are close to signing French soccer star Zinedine Zidane, the club yesterday said that “such a move appears very unlikely,” according to Grahame Jones of the L.A. TIMES. Zidane “has rejected repeated overtures by AEG, which is said to have a standing offer for Zidane to play” with either the Fire or Galaxy (L.A. TIMES, 4/18). AEG President & CEO Tim Leiweke: “We have contacted his entourage about coming to play for us this year. He knows our door will always be open. His contract won’t be a problem.” Galaxy President & GM Alexi Lalas, despite telling London newspapers this past weekend that he was pursuing Zidane, said, “I can’t comment about specifics of any of the negotiations we have. All I can say is we continue to court the best players we possibly can” (L.A. DAILY NEWS, 4/18). Chivas USA President Antonio Cue said that his team has also “had discussions with Zidane” about playing for his team (Riverside PRESS-ENTERPRISE, 4/18). FOXSPORTS.com’s Nick Webster wrote of Zidane and the Galaxy yesterday, “I ... have it on good authority that the deal has already been done” (FOXSPORTS.com, 4/17).

GUARDIAN ANGEL: In N.Y., Jack Bell notes the Red Bulls acquired F Juan Pablo Angel from Premier League club Aston Villa, using their second designated player slot, which was acquired via trade from Chivas USA. MF Claudio Reyna is the team’s other designated player. Aston Villa manager Martin O’Neill “released Angel from the remainder of his contract, which means the Red Bulls did not pay a transfer fee.” The Red Bulls refused to discuss financial details. Angel was reportedly being paid about $80,000 a week by Villa, which paid a club-record transfer fee of about $19M to obtain him from River Plate in Argentina in ’01 (N.Y. TIMES, 4/18). Also in N.Y., Brian Lewis reports the Red Bulls acquired Angel “on a free transfer, absorbing the last season of his $2[M] deal and adding a second year” (N.Y. POST, 4/18).

CREW: Crew GM Mark McCullers confirmed the team has signed Argentina club Boca Juniors player Guillermo Barros Schelotto to a two-year contract. Terms were not disclosed, but Schelotto was not signed under MLS’ designated-player rule. In Columbus, Shawn Mitchell reports it is “believed his compensation package will be worth about” $1M annually, but his base salary “will be far less” (COLUMBUS DISPATCH, 4/18).

WORLD PARTY: SI.com’s Greg Lalas, Alexi Lalas’ brother, wrote, “All in all, this year's newcomers bring something more than star power to MLS. They signal the possible beginning of the league's push onto the global stage. They bring the kind of unique talents and experience that the young American players need to see and emulate and learn how to play with” (SI.com, 4/17).