Sportitalia Links Union To Aging Atalanta Striker Simone Tiribocchi

The secondary transfer window for Major League Soccer teams ends today, but a report out of Italy said that the Philadelphia Union have inquired about adding a European player to their roster.

Despite already paying five players - Chandler Hoffman, Josue Martinez, Jack McInerney, Lionard Pajoy and Jorge Perlaza - to play in forward roles, the Union allegedly have pursued Simone Tiribocchi. Philadelphia has reportedly entered into competition with D.C. United and Chicago Fire for the Atlanta striker's signature.

According to Tutto Mercatto Web, Sportitalia, a major Italian soccer outlet, said on its program "Special Cup" that the three MLS teams were after Tiribocchi.

Already nearing retirement, he turned 34 in January, Tiribocchi has lacked the form that brought him to Chievo Verona for some time now, scoring only thrice for Atalanta in 14 games played last season. In the last eight years, Tiribocchi has only had limited success, averaging slightly over a goal every three games the past three years with Atalanta.

Priorto joining Atalanta in 2009, Tiribocchi had decent form with Lecce from 2006-09, once again averaging just over a goal every three games. Before that, Tiribocchi failed to impress at Chievo, scoring 15 times in 59 games, after arriving from Torino after a year on loan at Siena saw him depart with 17 goals in 34 appearances.