Chicago Fire are believed to be showing considerable interest in Bayer Leverkusen veteran Michael Ballack.
Bild suggests that the Fire have enquired about the former Chelsea and Bayern Munich midfielder and may look to bring him in prior to the start of the 2012 MLS season.
Expansion franchise Montreal Impact have already been credited with an interest in Ballack, whose contract with Leverkusen runs out in the summer, but the Fire could make a move for him sooner than that according to reports.