Lazio's Cristian Ledesma looking to move to MLS, Sounders

With MLS about to release it's new Core Player Rule the Seattle Sounders are back in the rumor game. Just a week ago Calciomercato said that Lazio legend Cristian Ledesma contacted the Seattle club about joining their midfield. The 32-year-old central midfielder also had contact with Sporting Kansas City, Orlando City SC and the Philadelphia Union. Ledesma is available on a free, but is nearly certain to fishing for big money. He is also linked to Watford, Celtic and a club in Beijing.

That story came out on the 26th of June, just prior to the Erik Friberg transfer going full taco from impassioned rumor to official signing. But, it gained new life when Vocidi Sport picked it up and added two Serie A clubs to the list of Watford, Sporting KC and Sounders FC.

The Sounders have a crowded midfield when healthy. Osvaldo Alonso is a clear starter and the anchor, so any addition would be with the goal of playing in front of him in the CM role solidifying the spine. Friberg, Pineda, Rose and Roldan currently suit that role. All but Pineda regularly play out wide as well.

Calciomercato also connected Felipe Melo of Galatasaray to the Sounders, but that rumor should be discounted quickly -- the five million euro price quoted is beyond what Seattle should be paying for a player on the wrong side of 30. He, like Ledesma, could play as a CM partnered with Alonso.

Unlike the Lazio player, Melo played more than 2300 competitive minutes in his most recent season. Ledesma, hit with injury, played about 1100 minutes. Neither are scoring threats.