At least the Chicago Fire is aiming high: Luis Arroyave of the Chicago Tribune reports that in the last few weeks the team has vigorously been trying to sign three-time World Player of the Year Zinedine Zidane, who retired after the World Cup last summer. "We reached out to Zidane," Fire GM John Guppy confirmed. "But so has every other MLS club. The feedback we've all gotten is that he's retired."

Helsingborg striker Henrik Larsson (currently on-loan with Manchester United) was also on Guppy's shortlist, "But he made it clear that he wanted to return to his hometown" after his loan spell at United ends. "It wasn't about us not offering the right deal. It was a personal decision."

The Fire also offered a contract to Fulham striker Brian McBride, and while his reply was more positive, Guppy said McBride "needed to consider his options." Meanwhile, various reports claim the American is likely to extend his current contract with Fulham.

Guppy says the Fire has three separate lists for a designated player. One includes Mexican players, another Polish players, and the last one could be called "miscellaneous." Topping that last list is Juve's aging midfielder Pavel Nedved. Read the original story...