With Brad Friedel teasing a second 'elite' DP for Revolution, here are 4 possible options

On several occasions earlier this week, Revolution manager Brad Friedel noted the club is still on the hunt for a second Designated Player ahead of the 2019 season.

During Sunday’s Season Ticket Member Event at Gillette Stadium’s Putnam Club, Friedel said supporters would be happy with the player, and on Wednesday, he re-iterated to MLSSoccer.com's Tom Bogart the player would be an elite player from overseas.

So with that in mind, let’s check in across the pond and see which players might be up for the taking — and remember, the Primary Transfer Window will remain open until May, and it doesn’t matter if the English or Spanish window is closed. It’s the receiving club’s window that matters.

We came up with four potential players who are in the back pages of the London tabs this week:

Mesut Özil, Arsenal, midfielder

The former German international is reportedly on the outs at the Emirates with new manager Unai Emery. Özil has only made 18 appearances this season for the Gunners, thanks to injuries and poor form. In fact, the German No. 10 isn’t a regular starter in North London any longer, and he’s not listed in Emery’s squad for today’s UEFA Europa League clash with BATE Borisov. Emery has reportedly said Özil’s absence is “not tactical.” The Telegraph of London mentioned Wednesday should Arsenal fail to finish in England’s top four again and miss out on Champions League football, the wage bill in Ashburton Grove for 2019-20 won’t be more than £50 million British pounds sterling ($64 million US), and that shedding Özil’s salary would help the Arsenal board reach that target.

BSJ analysis: Maybe Özil needs a change of scenery; look at the Lee Nguyen and Kelyn Rowe situations here last season… pretty similar, if you ask me. He was a prized addition to former manager Arsene Wenger’s side that went on to win back-to-back FA Cups in 2015 and 2016. His form, though, over the last two seasons has dropped significantly; of course, that’s against some of the best competition in the world. What would he bring to Foxborough, even at age 30? When fit, solid technical play on the ball, as well as 109 goals for club and country. The Gooner in me would love to see Özil in navy blue — but will it happen? Özil’s wages are at about £350,000 British pounds sterling per week, which roughly corresponds to about $448,525 US. Upward of $15.2 million per season for the next two-and-a-half years. That would be an amazing amount, and would certainly move the Revolution up the pay scale in MLS.

Nani, Sporting Club de Portugal, midfielder

Orlando City is reportedly in line to get the former Manchester United man and Portugal international’s signature. At 32, he would be a gamble — just think of the miles he’s already put on his legs — and you’d want him to play up with the attacking midfielders, of course. Any sale of Nani right now would also put 40 percent of the sale price into the pocket of Spain’s Valencia, who sold him to Sporting last summer.

BSJ Analysis: At 32, you have to believe Nani’s best years are behind him, and he’d only give you a year, at best, of service before he calls it a career. But he’s already scored six goals this season, and is dangerous in the box. As a left winger, though, he could give some competition to Cristian Penilla. And remember, Friedel doesn’t want complacency to seep into the club; Penilla started every match in which he was eligible last year. As for the sale price, I’m wondering if Sporting — and remember, Sporting and the Revs had a working agreement a few years ago that was only executed once — would want to inflate his sale price in order to recoup some of what’s headed to Valencia.

Marcelo, Real Madrid, left back

The Daily Mail reported today the Brazilian could conceivably join former teammate Cristiano Ronaldo at Juventus in the Italian Serie A, but would Friedel want to pull the string and nab a very good defender?

BSJ Analysis: Marcelo is 30, and he could give the Revolution additional security out on the left alongside Edgar Castillo. It would also give the Revs Academy more time to groom and develop the left back of the future.

Micah Richards, Aston Villa, defender

Richards, 30, is in a similar pickle as Özil: no minutes at Villa Park (and hasn’t for the last two seasons), and his contract expires at the end of this English season. And he’s a center back, if that helps.

BSJ Analysis: The whole not getting first-team minutes concerns me, but if he’s fit and ready to go, why not? The Revs need center back help, and Richards is a former England international. He also played for Manchester City when, you know, they got good (read: bought its Premier League titles) and was nominated for the club’s Player of the Year in 2012.