Target Strikers: Updates On Three Union Linked Forwards

Nicolas Anelka

The former French international signed with Shanghai Shenhua, of the Chinese Super League, this week. Anelka's two year contract with Shenua will pay the 32-year-old 175,000-euros-a-week, which is nearly $12 million-a-year. The Montreal Impact attempted to negotiate a contact with Anelka to bring the striker to MLS, but the two sides could not reach an agreement on a salary that made the offer competitive with Shenhua's deal.

Kepa Blanco

Blanco has reportedly decided to leave Recreativo de Huelva, a Liga Adelante (second division) team, in the January transfer window. The Philadelphia Union supposedly tabled a bid for Blanco, along with the New York Red Bulls and Los Angeles Galaxy, but instead brought in Costa Rican international striker Josue Martinez instead. Still, Blanco is rumored to be pursued by three MLS teams, along with ones in the Czech Republic and France.

Michael Thurk

Linked to the Union a multitude of times, Thurk still finds himself on the outside looking in for Augsburg FC in the German Bundesliga. Thurk is set to leave the club in the January transfer window, just like Blanco, and the 35-year-old has options in 2. Bundesliga, other locations in Europe and MLS. The withdrawn forward is said to favor a move to the United States, and recent comments by Augsburg's team President have all but ruled out a chance of Thurk ever getting back into the squad.