Sounders interested in Dempsey

Seattle Sounders head coach Sigi Schmid has failed to hose down speculation he is chasing Tottenham’s American attacker Clint Dempsey.

Reports in the British media had claimed Dempsey was in the United States on Friday to speak to Everton about a possible move away from Tottenham but speculation had also linked the 30-year-old American with a move back home.

The Sounders are the MLS side to have been mentioned as a possible destination for Dempsey and, although Schmid insisted there is nothing ‘nailed down and concrete’, the 60-year-old German coach seemingly confirmed Seattle are interested in the versatile forward.

Speaking to Seattle radio station KJR 950, Schmid revealed the Sounders are looking for a midfielder ‘or somebody who can play an attacking second-striker type of thing in the centre of the park’, which is a very accurate description of Dempsey.

Dempsey moved from Fulham to Tottenham at the end of August last year, having also attracted interest from Liverpool, and the US international played 43 games in all competitions under manager Andre Villas-Boas, scoring 12 goals and creating seven more.

But despite being a regular player in Villas-Boas’ first season in charge of Tottenham, Dempsey appears to be interested in leaving the London-based club and Schmid failed to distance Seattle as a potential destination for the Texas-born player.

“I know Clint, I’ve talked to him I follow his career but there’s nothing there that I can say right now,” Schmid said.

With Seattle having moved Grenadian midfielder Shalrie Joseph under their salary cap this week, the Sounders have a designated player slot available to pay Dempsey outside the MLS’ $2.95million limit per team.

“We’re always looking for good players,” Schmid said when asked about Dempsey again.

“You can’t ever close the door on anything but right now there is nothing that’s nailed down and concrete.”