The Chicago Fire have kept a flame burning for Iker Casillas.
The Fire, who were first linked to the legendary Spanish goalkeeper over the winter, are interested in acquiring the 36-year-old in the summer transfer window, multiple sources have told MLSsoccer.com. The sources added that Casillas has a strong interest in joining Chicago.
The sources said that Casillas would not be a Designated Player if signed. They added that it wasn’t yet clear if Chicago would use Targeted Allocation Money in a potential deal or if they’d look to ink Casillas to a contract that’d pay him less than the maximum annual budget charge of $504,375.
The Fire declined to comment through a spokesperson.
It was reported Wednesday by a Spanish outlet that Casillas is interested in moving to Chicago this summer. The longtime Real Madrid ‘keeper is currently with Portuguese club Porto, where he recently reclaimed the starting spot after spending about half the season on the bench. He’s out of contract after this season, meaning Chicago would be able to sign him for free in July.
Richard Sanchez has started all three games for Chicago so far this season, conceding eight times as the Fire have gotten off to a 0-2-1 start.
One of the most decorated goalkeepers in the history of the sport, Casillas won five La Liga titles and three UEFA Champions League crowns in his time with Real Madrid and started for Spain during their runs to the 2008 UEFA European Championship, 2010 World Cup and 2012 European Championship. He made his 1,000th career professional appearance in Porto’s 2-0 loss to Belenenses on Monday.
The Fire will look for their first win of 2018 when they host Columbus Crew SC on Saturday (8:30 pm ET | MLS LIVE).
