BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. — Fire midfielder Marco Pappa told reporters on Wednesday that he hasn’t been contacted by Dutch club FC Twente, saying that the whispers connecting him with last season’s Eredivisie runners-up are nothing more than conjecture.
“It’s just a rumor,” Pappa said. “I still have a contract with MLS for one more year, so it’s a rumor. When I know something for sure I’ll let you know, but for now it’s just a rumor.”
Pappa, who is signed through next year, was non-committal when asked if he’d like to eventually move overseas.
“It depends,” he said. “I’m happy with this league. They gave me the chance to play outside Guatemala, but I’m looking forward in my career and hoping for positive things.”
Fire interim head coach and technical director Frank Klopas also said that Chicago haven’t been contacted by Twente — or any other team — about Pappa, who was linked with Chilean club Colo-Colo earlier this year.
“I think Marco’s a good, talented player,” Klopas said. “It’s great that people are writing stuff like that. ... but I can tell you that the league hasn’t been contacted and neither have we by any clubs at this point.”
Klopas did say that the club would consider selling Pappa, who is second on the team with five goals, if the right offer came around.
“It’s a business,” he said. “We always look at all the options and try to make the best decision for the club.”
Chicago next take the field on Thursday night when they host D.C. United (9 pm ET, ESPN2, ESPN Deportes).
Sam Stejskal covers the Chicago Fire for MLSsoccer.com. Email him at sam.h.stejskal@gmail.comand follow him on Twitter @samstejskal.
