Robb Heineman, CEO of Sporting Kansas City's parent organization Sporting Club, is one of MLS' most accessible executives, and he gave SKC fans another tasty morsel to chew over in a conversation with media during KC's 2-0 win over the Colorado Rapids on Saturday night.
Discussing his club's possible activity in the international transfer market when the summer window opens next month, Heineman stated that Sporting are in contact with Chelsea winger Marko Marin in the hopes of cinching a move for the onetime Germany international.
Born in Bosnia and Herzegovina but raised primarily in Frankfurt, Marin, 26, made his name in the Bundesliga with Borussia Mönchengladbach and Werder Bremen, and saw action as a member of Germany's 2010 World Cup squad.
He made a high-profile move to English Premier League heavyweights Chelsea for a reported €8 million transfer fee in 2012, but has struggled for regular playing time in London, and spent most of the past two years out on loan across Europe at Sevilla, Fiorentina and Anderlecht.
Heineman (pictured at right) also coyly noted that one of Sporting's main recruiting targets was in attendance at Saturday's match, following up on his midweek tweet about potential signings attending the team's US Open Cup match vs. FC Dallas on Wednesday.
He added that contract negotiations with standout midfielder Benny Feilhaber, who Heineman contended is the league MVP thus far this season, are upcoming.
Heineman described SKC as “under budget” this year, in terms of overall player salary outlay if not salary cap-wise, which could be taken as a hint that a Designated Player signing is on the table. Sporting presently carry two DPs on their roster, US internationals Graham Zusi and Matt Besler.
