With an open DP slot here are 12 dream signings for Sounders

Today, Tuesday July 8th, is a big day for MLS: first, the summer transfer window has officially opened and will run until August 6th; second, they announced some new rules, the Targeted Allocation Money, which will allow for the potential to add a new Designated Player to rosters who are able to buy down existing DPs. Already players like Giovani dos Santos have been rumored to be brought to LA Galaxy as a result of this new rule, one which may further separate the MLS "Haves" and "Have-nots".

But being one of those "Haves", the Seattle Sounders have an opportunity to take that coveted DP tag off of midfielder Osvaldo Alonso, and in doing so they would now be able to bring in another marquee name. General Manager Garth Lagerway has stated he's in no hurry to put his stamp on this team, that he's not a fan of midseason transfers, but having brought in Erik Friberg and now with news came out last night that Sigi Schmid has been playing phone-tag with an overseas player, the potential for a big signing is definitely there.

So in anticipation, I asked fellow Sounder at Heart writers who they think the Sounders should target with their potential new DP slot. Some of the suggested players might be shooting for the stars, hoping the Sounders brand and deep pockets could lure away to play here in Seattle causing another DempseyWatch. Other suggestions have potential and make one's eyebrows raise. If there's a player you think Seattle should target and they're not covered here, let us all know and then we can make fun of you for being too foolish or not foolish enough.

Abbott Smith

It's never going to happen, but imagine the terror Gareth Bale would cause playing on the flank with Oba and Deuce.

The player I'd most like to see the team sign is Jordan Morris. Again not likely to happen this window due to his desire to finish his Stanford experience. But I love the cost to benefit he will bring. And as a person who also has T1d, I love his advocacy.

agtk

Keisuke Honda may be on his way out of Milan after a disappointing second half of the 2014-15 season. But make no mistake, Honda at 29, younger than both Oba and Clint, still has plenty left in the tank. Playing most recently as a winger, Honda could immediately slot in wide right as a creative force to supplement Oba and Clint, and could shift to forward if either of them are absent. His salary demands are likely realistic ($3-5m should do it) for the Sounders. The biggest downside is that he'd likely rack up a lot of miles traveling to play with the Japanese National Team. But, in my opinion, he'd be worth it.

Andrew Winner

How about Marcell Jansen? The German left back just announced his retirement from Hamburg, saying that "he can't just suddenly kiss another badge now." But what if that badge was an American one? The versatile 29-year-old can play in the back or in midfield, and one would imagine a player of his experience can fill in at the No. 6 if Alonso misses anymore time. He's known for his accurate crossing, which could be a boost at the left back position, and he could also slot in at left midfield during Pappa's absences with the Guatemalan National Team. Since he's available on a free transfer, it might be worth reaching out to his agent to see if he'd consider MLS as his next step.

Chris Tobin

We know or strongly suspect that the Sounders were looking to bring in Tjaronn Chery, so I was trying to think of a player along those lines as a realistic target that would add something to the roster.  Originally I wanted Lucas Podolski, but he recently moved to Galatasaray from Arsenal.  So my thoughts returned to the Eredivisie for attacking talent.  I was trying to come up with a Aron Johannsson like player that the Sounders should sign.  Then it occurred to me, we should sign Aron Jóhannsson.  He fulfills my criteria as an Aron Jóhannsson like player extremely well, he can play as an attacking winger or a forward.  Jóhannsson has recently stated that he would like to come to MLS in his prime.  At 24 years old, I suspect today would qualify as in his prime.  My choice would be Aron Jóhannsson.

Dave Clark

Ehsan Hajsafi - Iran's left forward, left wing, left mid, left wingback, left back can play anywhere on the left side, as if that wasn't already apparent. His role flexibility will help when the Sounders are down players due to National Team duty or injury. Still only 25 you may remember him from his 66 appearances with Iran (whose coaches know MLS quite well), including the last World Cup. Hajsafi is not going to answer scoring needs, but he is a creative force with a strong defense and a capable cross.

Ethan Swenson

I've long, silently, coveted Fabian Castillo of FC Dallas. With his speed on the wing, getting behind defenses and shooting on goal or whipping in crosses for Clint Dempsey and Obafemi Martins the Sounders offense would be nigh unstoppable. But a few problems may prevent this from happening: he just signed a new five-year contract this past offseason; he's already been linked to teams like Club America, Gent, or Palermo; and Dallas have stated they have no intention of moving him during this current season. So a move within MLS might be slightly unrealistic at this point.

Having said that, my hope against hopes would be another Manchester United midfielder, Marouane Fellaini. The 6'4" Belgium has had a tumultuous time since his move to Man U, already suspended the first three games of the upcoming Premier League season, but his talents here would help to turn Seattle into the juggernaut we aspire of them. Fellaini could slot into the midfield next to Alonso on days when the Sounders have their full compliment of teams, but he's also adept enough to play as a forward. In MLS play his physicality would be a massive asset, and would be another dangerous target on set pieces. Last season, he only appeared in 27 of Man U's 38 EPL games, scoring six goals in the process.

Jacob Landsberg

Well since I am crazy apparently here it goes: After strongly consider Gabi (Atleti won't sell him), Nuri Sahin, and Hakan Calhanoglu, I decided on the want away attacking mid from the Manchester United, Juan Mata. He fits the Sounders style, he's good in possession and an attacking central midfielder who likes to sit out wide as much as centrally. He can play either side and was out right typically at ManUtd, allowing Pappa to stay out left. He can take free kicks beautifully. He is a little weak and would get kicked a bit in MLS but he's got the talent to get through that with ease. He's expensive but he'd be loads of fun in a possession/attacking style of football.

Also, because every DP list needs more American DPs, Alejandro Bedoya. He apparently loves Nantes but he'll like it here better. He's an American Mata, kind of... He's a ball winner if he's a center mid and can distribute possession like a boss. On the wing he can take on fullbacks and cross pretty well. He is the creative central player that thrives on wings, he fits our mold. Cheaper than Hakan and a better defender and a lot cheaper than Mata. Oh and America, frick yeah!

LikkitP

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Realio

I would hope to pry Arturo Vidal away from Juventus. I don't know about you guys but a central midfield of Alonso and Vidal would play 100 miles an hour and destroy every midfield pairing in the league. The middle would be desolate against these two. Vidal is Alonso level defense with assists/goals thrown in and a great stamina two-way player.  Having a midfield bulldog next to him should allow Ozzie to not need to shoulder as much of the defensive work while allowing both to interchange as they funnel the ball to the strikers. I realize his attitude is a bit of a wild card but I can't think of another player who could just crush opposing midfields as well and he's still on the right side of 30. Scores at a decent clip too.

If i was being a bit more realistic, I would say Carlos Darwin Quintero to run the wing ragged. He just demolished SSFC in CCL and has impressed every time I have seen him.

Ryan Cowper

If in the new era of MLS DPs the sky is the limit, there is no higher limit the Seattle Sounders can reach for than Bastian Schweinsteiger. With just one year left on his contract at Bayern Munich and at a double digit age that starts with a 3, the captain of the German national team would be the most amazing get for MLS. One of the world's best playmakers? Check. One of the world's most tenacious defensive midfield players? Check. One of the world's best secondary runners? Check.

Bastian Schweinsteiger is the epitome of Osvaldo Alonso, Gonzalo Pineda, and Andy Rose all rolled into one package and then raised to the maximum. If any team in MLS has the financial clout to snag a guy who makes $11.5M a season, it's the Seattle Sounders.

However, another player the Seattle Sounders should target is Schalke 04's Jefferson Farfan. The talented winger has pace to burn and represents not only an upgrade on Lamar Neagle, but also an upgrade on Marco Pappa as he has great technical ability to match with a playmaker's instinct in the final third of the pitch. He's a well skilled dribbler and frequently can be found burning defenders down the right wing.

At the age of 30 and with just a single season left on his contract at Schalke, Farfan moving on would on now would be an excellent time for him to collect his final payday as well as clear space for the insane number of extremely talented young attacking midfielders at Schalke. And with wages near the $4.5M, it wouldn't take an insane financial offer from the Seattle Sounders to get him to leave Gelsenkirchen.

sassysusie

I was going to choose Fellaini, but since Ethan already made his case, I'll go with 27-year-old Everton midfielder Kevin Mirallas, a speedy, versatile player still in his prime. Mirallas entered the final year of his contract this summer following his move from Olympiakos in 2012. He was deployed as a center forward for Olympiakos, but has been used mainly as a winger or a roaming forward at Everton. Mirallas is known for his ball control, quick passing, pace, crossing, and one-on-one abilities. The Belgium has made around 100 appearances with Everton, scoring 28 goals—including this pretty free kick in the FA Cup.

He's made comments lately about his unhappiness at Everton and "awkward relationship" with Roberto Martinez. Mirallas can tune out of games and is not particularly strong defensively, but he has the potential to be a big impact player. He showed that in the five Europa League matches this season, scoring 3 goals and notching an assist.

sidereal

Yaya Toure - With Friberg joining, the Sounders are starting to get deep at central midfield, but deep is not great. It's been a huge area of defensive weakness when Alonso is out or Pineda's having an off game, and Toure would turn it into a massive strength. The Manchester City icon is one of the most talented and physical box to box midfielders of all time and at 32 still has a couple of good years in him. He's reportedly unsettled at Man City and might be wandering off to Italy. Joe Roth should send a private plane to intercept and re-route him to CenturyLink Field.