AMSTERDAM – Free agent US speedster DaMarcus Beasley is getting closer to finding his new employer, MLSsoccer.com has learned, with a club in France's Ligue 1 and one in Spain's La Liga leading the race.
The 28-year-old, who is out of contract with Scottish champs Rangers, is currently in his native Indiana conducting his annual Beasley National Soccer School summer camp.
"We have possible deals," Beasley's rep, Lyle Yorks, told MLSsoccer.com. "We're in discussions that are fairly far along in France and Spain at the moment. There is still interest in the Netherlands, but it hasn't progressed. There's also definite serious interest in Turkey, but the discussions that are furthest along are with one Spanish club and one French club."
The agent also divulged that one of the two leading contenders for his client's services is a Europa League entrant. Beasley was linked to qualifier Paris Saint-Germain during the winter transfer window, but the club declined comment to MLSsoccer.com on Thursday.
In Spain, the former Chicago Fire star previously received interest from the likes of Espanyol and Osasuna. Beasley was also recently named as a target for promoted Blackpool and West Bromwich Albion in English gossip pages, but these links appear to be either outdated or erroneous.
In three injury-hit seasons with Rangers, Beasley notched seven goals and 10 assists in 46 matches across all competitions. He played a part in winning consecutive Scottish Premier League titles and a Scottish Cup crown to match his domestic haul from the Netherlands with PSV Eindhoven, and then added a Scottish League Cup medal this past spring.
Beasley just participated in his third World Cup, coming on as a substitute for the US' dramatic 1-0 group-stage win over Algeria. He was also a key member of the 2002 and '06 US squads.
